The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1943-10-07
Plans Shape up for
50-Bed Hospital
or Kennewick
Take option on
tentative site just
west of town

Formal application will be made
this week for the construction Of
50-bed hospital for Kennewick,
as a result of movement started
in the Kennewick chamber of
commerce several weeks ago. To-
day local committee is out in
vestigating possible sites for the
institution, with the idea of de-
termining the most suitable. The
plan is to seek a federal grant
with the local community furnish
ing the site.
One Of the prime requirements
for such a grant, other than the
furnishing of the site, is for a
group to sponsor the operation Of
the plant if il should be built.
After investigation the Methodist
church has tentatively agreed to
take over the operation. The Or
ganization now operates two hos
pitfalls in this state at Wenatchee
and Spokane and is one of the
largest hospital operating units in
the West.
The community is especially
fortunate in this respect too, for
the Rev. John G. Coan has been
superintendent of large hospital
for his organization in Oregon and
has had just the kind Of ex-
perience most needed in the local
set-up at the present time. .-
Last Friday noon a special meet
ing was called of the hospital
committee, at which time DR.. Fred
Peterson, district superintendent
of the Walla Walla conference of
the Methodist church was present
to hear the proposed plans. He
gave his tentative approval.
Lin Bissell, Yakima architect,
who has made a special study
Of hospital plans and has been
the consulting architect in the con-
struction of several institutions in
this area, was also present. He
had plans for a 50-bed hospital
as well as a sketch of the COM
pleted building. He is building
inspector for the local Federal
Works Agency, which has the pri-
waite housing construction super
vision. He explained the require
ments, especially stressing ample
grounds, so that the plans could
be expanded should occasion re-
quire. He advised that not less
than a 300-ft. front be secured
as site.
The building he recommended
would cost in the neighborhood Of
$4,000, with $1,000 additional
for equipment other than x-Ray,
which would cost some $500 adj
ditional, making total cost Of
about 100000. 1t is expected
that this sum, with the excep-
ton Of the purchase of the site,
could be secured through federal
grant because Of the very greatly
increased population.
The application will point out
the great need for such an insti-
tuition, there being no hospital
facilities in the county. As a re-
suit Of survey just completed, IL
will be pointed out that the insti-
tuition would serve population
of about $4,000 people, not in
Guiding the Richland or Hanford
projects which would have their
own hospitals.
At today's meeting of the cham
Der, arrangements were made for
the formation Of the Kennewick
Hospital Association. This group
would consist Of local citizens in
terested in the project and the
committee will take immediate ac-
ton toward raising funds for the
purchase Of the site, should the
grant be made.
A site committee was also Sc
lected this noon and have already
returned with a recommendation
They have selected portion of
the Martin CARRIER farm just west
of the city limits. A 90-day OPP
ton will be signed this afternoon
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