SYCAMORE TOWNSHIP - Many Kenwood residents say they aren't sure what to think about Monday's official announcement that Jewish Hospital in Avondale will close its patient care services.
After years debating expansion at the hospital's Kenwood campus, some wonder: Will the hospital honor an agreement struck with neighbors last week that would limit the size of a new garage and other expansion?
Or will the Burnet Campus closing mean unrestricted growth in Kenwood and more traffic in their neighborhood?
''They have not been good neighbors,'' said Tom Kronenberger, whose home at the 8000 block of Frolic Drive is one lot away from the planned site of the hospital's 600-car garage. ''They do whatever they want when they want, and the neighbors be damned.''
Hospital administrators insist Monday's announcement does not change plans under way at the Kenwood facility. The $90 million project, to be completed by mid-1998, will include a six-story patient section and cardiac care and cancer treatment units.
Other patient services, such as maternity and emergency care, already have been added or expanded. And construction soon will begin on a 300,000-square-foot garage, which residents helped negotiate.
The hospital board, residents and township trustees agreed on the size and design of the structure last week.
''There should not be a great deal of surprise, because there has been no change in our construction plans,'' said Warren Falberg, senior executive officer of Jewish Hospital. ''We literally cannot add more space at this point because of zoning restrictions,'' he said.
Neighbors have complained about Jewish's expansion since before it began in the neighborhood in spring 1994. For several years, the hospital would not discuss its expansion with concerned residents.
''They didn't want to talk to us; we didn't know what they were doing,'' said Jean Bresnen, who has lived at her residence on Happiness Way since 1968.
''We have lots of young families here with babies, and (the hospital is) right across the street from them.''
Ms. Bresnen worries that the closing of the Jewish Hospital in Avondale will prompt more expansion - and more secrecy.
''We've had so much controversy, so much arguing, I'd hate to see that start up again,'' she said. ''We were just so relieved to finally get the garage issue settled. We knew a lot of services were coming out here - but not this.''
Still, Sycamore Trustee Richard Kent said he is confident the neighbors' agreement with the hospital will stand.
''I got a call today from Mr. (Robert) Kanter, the president of the board of Jewish Hospital, who told me nothing new was happening,'' Mr. Kent said.
''We've turned things around,'' he said. ''We're now communicating with the hospital. In my seven years as a trustee, that's never happened before.''
