Will Solaris try to make a killing on Muhlenberg real estate?

Latest rumor is that parking lot West of Park Avenue is for sale.

While Muhlenberg supporters plan strategies in the face of the August 13 closing of the hospital, 'Save Muhlenberg' activists are calling attention to what they believe is a similar struggle -- at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn -- with implications for Muhlenberg and Plainfield.

While real estate values in the Cobble Hill neighborhood in which LICH is situated have appreciated dramatically in recent years (I know the neighborhood well, having lived a few blocks away and with a friend who owns a rowhouse literally around the corner), Plainfield has not seen such dramatic increases -- despite the runup of recent years.

Nevertheless, the story brings up an important issue: What now will Solaris do with the Muhlenberg property?

Rumors have been flying for months about plans to sell off or develop parts of the campus, including various buildings, as condos, offices, a conference center, etc., and what local players might benefit from finder's fees in 'brokering' such transactions.

The latest rumor to surface, though I have not been able to confirm it, is that the large parking lot on the west side of Park Avenue at Randolph Road is on the market.

Meanwhile, you can read up on the Brooklyn experience and lessons it may have for Plainfield and Muhlenberg here: "Doctors Say Hospital Is Falling Victim to Its Own Real Estate Value".

P.S. -- As fate would have it, today's New York Times brings news of yet further property sales by LICH's parent corporation -- this time of properties housing its obstetrics programs -- though prices are not mentioned. Supporters of LICH contend it is being cannibalized to aid the parent corporation.

Read about it here: "Community Hospital in Brooklyn Is Closing Maternity Ward and Selling the Space".