BRADDOCK, Pa.,None — The Braddock Borough council has approved the demolition of a community hospital, ending a two-month deadlock.
Council unanimously approved a county redevelopment proposal Tuesday night that would demolish the shuttered UPMC Braddock hospital, just east of Pittsburgh.
UPMC closed the 123-bed hospital Jan. 31 because it was losing money. Opponents protested the closing, saying the hospital was a vital community resource and the town's largest employer.
Some borough officials hoped to find another medical provider who would use the building. Earlier this month, a judge threw out a challenge to the closing by community members.
The council president broke down in tears as he said the project would be the best thing for Braddock, even though they fought so hard to try to keep the hospital open.
"We've been talked about, but I assure you the agreement we have before us this evening we're going to finalize. It's going to be the best agreement that we could have got for the residents of Braddock," said Jesse Brown, president of Braddock Borough Council.
The land would be used for an urgent care clinic and community college space.
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