Charity hospital will spend; more than $1 million in the next I year for air-conditioning andj other improvements.
The hospital board last night | voted approval of the renoVa-j tion plans and also decided to; hire an architect to study what! can be done, to prevent base- j ment flooding.
Three-fourths of the total cost; of renovation already is in hand officials -reported,, and contracts have been let on $269,000 worth of work,
\ Modernization of the 10th floor delivery rooms is costing $171,500 and the installation of steam-powered air conditioning, $220,000. More Than Year
A standby generator, a basement cold storage system, special X-ray outlets and a renovation of the' pathology department are planned. /
Some board members guessed the work would take more than a year. Funds, other than those on hand, would be obtained from trust and endowment accounts. The action to name an architect to study the flooding situation and the possibility of revamping the admission department vvas objected to by hospital director Dr. Leo J. Kerne. The hospital has been experiencing serious flooding in the 1 basement during heavy rains, I The water caused damage es-jtimated at $12,852 to hospital elevators two weeks ago. New Board?
Dr. Kerne said however that a new board may be appointed by Gov. Jimmie H. Davis before the next meeting and that the matter should be left to the incoming board.
He added that a. committee first ought to be named to study the admitting section renovation because he did not believe such a renovation is needed.
Dr. Don L, Peterson, vice-president of the board, joined Dr. Kerne in opposing action now,
Lucien T. Vivien Jr., chairman of the house committee and proponent of the action, said his committee had studied the situation and. felt something definite was needed.
Dr, J. M. Ciaravella moved an architect be. hired and' it passed 6-4, Dr. Kerne, Dr.! Peterson, Dr. Abe Mickal and: Mrs. Jewel B. Dowling were opposed. Fund Difficulty
The board authorized the Otis Elevator Co. to repair the elevators at the estimated extent of damages.
Donald C. Oster, secretary-treasurer, told the board that the National Foundation owes the hospital $40,000 on polio patient care and that the organization is experiencing fund difficulty.
In the event of a polio outbreak this summer, the polio group's debt to the hospital might, reach $100,000, Oster said.
