TESTIMONY OF
Robert A. Garrett, P.E.
President & CEO-Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce
Good evening. My name is Bob Garrett. I am the President & CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, which is a regional business and community development organization operating in the Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union Counties. By way of qualification for my testimony this evening, please know that I am a certified Professional Engineer with several decades of experience in community development and land use planning. Previously, I served as Union County Planning Director, as the PennDOT Director of Municipal Services, and was the New Berlin Mayor.
The primary focus that I would like to make in my testimony is related to the critical need for healthcare services such as those being proposed by this project as well as touching on a couple of land use issues:
First, the care proposed to be provided at this new facility will expand upon already existing services being provided at the Geisinger Medical Center and the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital. In other words, this project will retain and expand upon long-established areas of care and expertise. By all accounts, these services are badly needed, and this project will help to fill a critical healthcare gap in Danville and our greater valley communities. Possibly, even more important is the building and preparing for future needed care and demand, which is showing no indication of diminishing any time soon.
There is no debate, the St. Cyril’s site is beautiful. The architecture is fine. The grounds are pastoral. Recognizing this, Geisinger administrators have made a perpetual commitment that the existing structures on the site will remain and that the Sisters will maintain access to these structures whenever needed. Further, there will be no impact to the Basilica or its adjacent facilities and structures.
When we hear the word ‘Geisinger,’ particularly in connection with structures, the first thought we naturally have is that huge, big blue institution on the hill. That institution along with its many complimentary buildings, commonly referred to as Geisinger-Danville, has a long, honored reputation of life affirming and lifesaving. It serves us well.
But what is being proposed on the St. Cyril’s site is uniquely different from the building on the hill. Mental health services are far more human scaled, and generally not vertical arranged. In other words, think more along the lines of a tree covered campus with low-rise clinic-style units which will complement the context of their surroundings. A place where contentment replaces chaos and stress is converted into calm and peacefulness.
It may not be too much of a stretch for me to suggest to you that the apostolic and ecclesiastical mission work of Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius, started in the late 19th century, in compassion for the embattled and rattled Slavic people, will indeed be continued and enhanced by this new project. In fact, it’s my professional opinion that the proposal in front of you this evening fully represents a ‘pre-existing use’ and is the ‘best and highest use’ for this property.
On the matter of traffic studies and pursuant improvement, please know that I bring great depth and understanding to this issue. Geisinger will conduct the necessary traffic studies to ensure that there is no adverse impact to the local community. If anything, this project very well may improve current traffic-flow conditions. We all are painfully aware that the current traffic conditions in this area tend toward intolerable, at times. This project, with the full backing and endorsement of the Geisinger, could very likely be the ‘tipping point,’ if you will, that will provide the impetus for long overdue improvement.
While it would be foolish for me to propose solutions without the data that a traffic study will provide, please be assured that, with your approval of tonight’s proposed project your community, the residents of Danville, and the citizens of our entire valley will be better off. What you have in front of you is a classic win-win.
Thank you for this opportunity to provide input.
Geisinger Testimony
