How did the Friends Group come together?
The Friends Group came together from various informal discussions and expressions of interest. At project presentations throughout the community, numerous people expressed support for the project and asked how they could help. Based on this support, staff for the project asked various people if there was interest in forming a Friends Group and many said yes. Walt Hays and Bern Beecham said they were willing to co-chair the group and so the Friends Group has formed.
Who leads the Friends of the Hospitals?
The Friends Group is led by a ten person volunteer Steering Committee that provides leadership and oversees and approves the group's activities. Walt Hays and Bern Beecham serve as Co-Chairs. Walt was Chair of the Mayor's Green Ribbon Task Force and is currently Chair of the Community Environmental Action Partnership in Palo Alto. Bern is a former Mayor and City Council member in Palo Alto.
What is the working relationship between the Friends Group and the Medical Center?
The Medical Center welcomes the efforts of the Friends Group. The staff collaborates with the group to help build community support and the staff assists in coordination of various activities of the group.
What are the primary reasons the project is needed?
The Medical Center must modernize its facilities to address state mandated seismic safety laws for earthquake protection, to provide more beds to address the critical bed shortage that exists, to expand the overcrowded Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center, and to meet the space requirements of new medical technologies and advances in medical care.
For more details about the project visit the project website at www.stanfordpackard.org
What is the process for public review of the project?
The City is preparing an independent Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project which is currently scheduled for release and public review in fall 2009. The City will receive public comments on the EIR and conduct public hearings on the project prior to taking final action.