Phil Matier: Rebuilding Children's Hospital of Oakland
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – Children's Hospital of Oakland is launching a campaign to rebuild and retrofit its facilities. When the hospital tried to renovate in 2008 it was disastrous, which has leaders looking at this work as not so much rebuilding this northern California icon, but also some redemption for the '08 mess, complete with an image reboot.
The 2008 plan was very ambitious, and contained a 10-story complex, which naturally angered the neighbors. They also threw a parcel tax request on the ballot back in '08 for the people of Oakland to fund the renovation for $300 million. The plan backfired, with no one wanting to support the hospital.
KCBS, CBS 5 and SF Chronicle Insider Phil Matier Comments:
Now, the hospital isn't asking for public money, at least up front, but they're telling residents that the hospital has to be saved because it serves not just Oakland, but all of Northern California.
Instead of coming from the public initially, the money will come from a bond that state voters passed to help children's hospitals in general, along with private donors.
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