City Hires Thompson Hine LLP To Advise On Hospital Issue

The city of Lakewood has hired outside legal counsel to consider the proposal regarding the future of healthcare in Lakewood. Thompson Hine LLP has been hired to advise Lakewood City Council and the city administration as they consider the current proposal.

Under the proposed plan, which would require approval by city council, a health and wellness campus will be created. As part of this campus, Cleveland Clinic will construct, own and operate an estimated $34 million, 62,000-square-foot family health center, which will include a full-service emergency department, to replace Lakewood Hospital.

Thompson Hine LLP is a leading law firm that serves clients across the country and around the world – from major public and private corporations to financial institutions, governments, nonprofit organizations, venture capitalists and individual entrepreneurs. The firm was established in 1911 and has more than 350 lawyers in seven offices. The partner in charge of the firm’s Cleveland office, Robyn Minter Smyers, will serve as the team lead for the city, with assistance from partners in healthcare, real estate and tax-exempt organization law.

“Now that the proposal is before council and the administration, we must ensure the city does its own due diligence and negotiates the best deal possible for our citizens,” said Council President Mary Louise Madigan. “The Lakewood Hospital Association clearly did a great deal of hard work and research — looking for the best outcomes — but the city administration and city council need to verify those findings.”

Under the terms proposed in the letter of intent currently being reviewed by city council, the city maintains ownership of approximately four acres of property on the hospital site, along with the parking garage and office buildings.

The plan to create a new health and wellness campus was reached after an extensive evaluation process. Lakewood Hospital Association trustees worked with consultants and conducted a request for proposal from healthcare providers both nationally and locally. In addition, the plan took into consideration the hospital’s 2013 community health needs assessment, a review of the hospital’s aging facilities, some of which are nearly 100 years old, the decrease in patient volumes and the dramatic shift in the way healthcare is delivered.

“The community should know that council and the administration are doing everything possible to assure that the city is getting the best deal,” said Madigan.

Law Director Kevin Butler said the city is also considering employing other professional consultants.