Whitpain rejects site for hospital

Philadelphia Inquirer, The, May, 2006 by Marc Schogol

Controversial plans to move Norristown's major hospital out of town are at least on hold after Whitpain Township rescinded zoning approval for a hospital near Unisys Corp.'s Blue Bell headquarters.

Tuesday night's vote by Whitpain Township's Board of Supervisors was hailed by Norristown officials and Blue Bell residents who have strongly protested plans to build a new Montgomery Hospital there.

Norristown Borough Council member Rochelle Griffin Culbreath said: "Wow... that's great news!" when told of Whitpain's decision.

An official at the Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, which is partnering with Montgomery Hospital, said yesterday that Einstein now would seek to build the new facility on the portion of the 137-acre site farthest from residences.

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