Tenet decision on selling hospital ‘still up in the air'

BY CINDY FRAZIER

The Daniel Freeman Marina Hospital site — a 7.1-acre complex at Lincoln Boulevard and Mindanao Way in the Marina area — has been taken off the market and "will stay open for the foreseeable future," said David Langness, spokesman for the owner, Tenet Healthcare Corp.

A final decision on whether the hospital will eventually be sold or remain open is still up in the air.

Langness said a report in the Los Angeles Business Journal Monday, September 30th, stating that the hospital "will stay open" is not correct.

The L.A. Business Journal "got it wrong," Langness said.

Langness says the hospital's board of governors is considering a number of options for the facility, which was purchased by Tenet in December and placed on the market at the end of May.

The hospital was due to close on August 26th.

The hospital was in the process of closing down gradually and winding down its operation when a Los Angeles judge issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday, August 13th, halting the closure.

At that point, the hospital property — including the hospital facility, a medical building, parking structure and other structures — was taken off the market.

"There was quite a bit of interest in the site," Langness said. "Tenet had many offers."

Following the court order, the hospital board was "reconstituted," and three new members were appointed, including Liz Forer, Venice Family Clinic chief executive officer, Langness said.

"We have begun again at square one," Langness said. "We don't know how long it will take the board to make a decision, and there is no time line."

The board is considering a number of options, including upgrading the facility, he said.