Hospital officials think the site holds potential for housing development and included more than $3 million for demolition in the budget for the new hospital project, Towe said.
"What we are committed to is returning it to green space if there isn't a ready buyer, so that it is an attractive area that can be returned back to the community," she said.
Other topics brought up at Monday's forum included the new hospital's rates, visiting hours and policy on treating inmates.
Towe said the hospital's rates will go up because of the project, but the hospital will remain one of the lowest-cost hospitals in the state.
Visiting hours have not been established for the new hospital, she said. Because of the focus on patient-centered care in the new facility, the hospital wants to provide flexibility to allow visits according to patient needs, she said.
With regard to inmate care, Towe said inmates currently are treated throughout the hospital, but the hospital's ultimate goal is provide only emergency care to inmates and send them to a secure location in Baltimore for all other care.
Seniors at Monday's forum praised the hospital's decision to make all patient rooms private, sharing stories about incompatible roommates and the anxiety caused by sharing a hospital room with a stranger.
The switch to single-occupant rooms should also lower the hospital's infection rate and allow the hospital to utilize more of its beds, Towe said.
Towe invited any community group interested in hosting a presentation on the new hospital to contact the hospital's public relations director, Maureen Theriault, at theriaum@wchsys.org or at 301-790-8950.
