Vote needed on mega-hospital

Is now the time to revisit the mega-hospital?

Can we afford it? Mayor Drew Dilkens seems certain that a levy to support the hospital is a done deal. Why not expand Windsor Regional Hospital’s Met campus to the north and east?

The money saved could be spent on upgrading the Met and Ouellette campuses. Infrastructure costs for road expansion on County Rd. 42 are estimated at $170 million. The Tayfour campus renovation would be $106 million, while the Ouellette campus would be $137 million.

The cost estimate for a new urgent care facility at the former Grace site is $150 million. If the mayor, council and hospital administration think that a new facility is the only answer, I suggest that they take a close look at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit.

It has been continually upgraded to meet current standards. To address county needs, expand Leamington Hospital. If the mega-hospital is built, I fear that another neighbourhood, South Walkerville, will be devastated. One only has to look at the track record in this city.

We have had empty land for long periods of time at the former GM trim plant site, the former Grace site, the former Chrysler Pillette Road truck plant site and the former Wickes Bumper site, not to mention the parking lots on Goyeau Avenue in the core that have sat empty for at least 25 years.

Why do unelected people get to spend our tax money?

Maybe a referendum on the mega-hospital is needed. At least then I will have a say in how my tax money is spent.

NESTOR CHYZ, Windsor