Capital Health System eyes Princess Road.
By: Lea Kahn
A state-of-the-art hospital Lawrence Township’s first, full-service medical facility may be built on a 31-acre non-residential parcel on Princess Road, according to Capital Health System officials.
CHS President and Chief Executive Officer Al Maghazehe unveiled plans to seek approval for a certificate of need from the state Department of Health and Senior Services for the proposed hospital at a Wednesday morning press conference in Trenton.
"It is always wonderful to have a prosperous business look at Lawrence," Mayor Pam Mount said Wednesday afternoon. "We have St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center, but we do not have a full-service hospital."
Mayor Mount said that she and Municipal Manager William Guhl had an informal courtesy meeting Monday with CHS officials, including Dr. Maghazehe. CHS officials called the meeting to let township officials know in advance of the Wednesday press conference, she said.
"They did not give us any plans," Mayor Mount said. "It’s not very far along. There is no formal application (before the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Adjustment). I think it would be great if it all worked out, but they are at the very beginning stages."
It is not known whether an application would be heard by the Planning Board or the Zoning Board of Adjustment, she said, adding that it would depend on the plans. However, hospitals are considered inherently beneficial uses and such an application would likely be approved by the zoning board if a use variance would be needed, she said.
Nevertheless, there are many issues that would have to be resolved, Mayor Mount said. The size of the hospital is not known, nor are the number of beds or employees known. There may be traffic issues to work out, she said, adding that there may be environmental issues, as well.
Dr. Maghazehe said the proposed hospital would be an exciting addition to the already growing and expanding CHS. The group is presenting "a comprehensive, forward-thinking vision of redefining how health care will be delivered in this region for years to come," he said.
Upon approval, the hospital would be built from the ground up as a fully digitized medical facility, which would include the most advanced technology available. It would strive to meet the medical needs of families in a patient-focused and appealing atmosphere with patient safety as a key factor.
"The state-of-the-art features offered by the proposed hospital in Lawrence will enhance our ability to practice the healing arts," said James O’Mara, M.D., an OB/GYN and president of the CHS medical staff.
Dr. Maghazehe touted the ongoing major CHS construction projects of new and expanded health-care facilities throughout Mercer County as indicators of the strength of CHS.
CHS is completing a $2.5 million expansion project of its clinics, which will open at the Mercer Campus in May. It also is poised to open a new 28-bed critical care unit, emergency mental health crisis center and patient access center at its Fuld Campus.
The $12 million CHS in Hamilton Ambulatory and Surgical Care Center also will open soon, augmenting the system’s health care offerings throughout the region. CHS is the largest private employer in Trenton, with a staff of 3,300 people.

