Two City Council committees unanimously approved a modified plan to dramatically expand Northwell’s Lenox Hill Hospital, advancing a slightly smaller version of the controversial rezoning proposal.
Why It Matters: The hospital expansion aims to modernize healthcare facilities on the Upper East Side, transforming all patient rooms into single-bed rooms, updating operating rooms, and adding a new center specifically for labor and delivery patients, according to Patch.
The Big Picture: The newly approved plan slightly reduces the building’s height and construction timeline compared to earlier proposals. The tower will rise 370 feet on Lexington Avenue, just 66 feet shorter than the previous iteration, and still too large under current zoning.
By the Numbers: The construction timeline has been shortened to eight years, Upper East Site reports. This compares to the original 2019 proposal’s 11-year timeline.
State of Play: While the City Planning Commission and Manhattan Borough President supported the renovation, Community Board 8 voted 23-15 to reject it, Patch notes.
What They’re Saying: “We remain extremely disappointed with the overall height and mass of the building,” said Valerie Mason, chair of Community Board 8.
What’s Next: All 51 City Council members will vote on the plan August 14. The decision is final unless Mayor vetoes, which Council can override with a two-thirds majority.
