Posts Tagged ‘Allina Health Systems’
Allina Health: Good Neighbor is More Than Glitz and Glamor
By LINDSEY FENNER I was disappointed to read such a glowing article on the completion of the hospital campus renovation at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in the August issue of the alley. Although I know there are countless workers at Abbott who care deeply about their patients and their neighbors, I question whether Allina Health, who runs Abbott Northwestern, has that same committed care for the Phillips Community -That shiny new Central Utility Plant? Allina violated environmental laws when it started construction on the utility plant without an air emissions permit, and then lied to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency about it. After my reporting in the September 2022 issue of the alley, Allina had to halt construction and they were fined $50,000. -Union workers at Allina Health are always speaking out about the working conditions they endure, and their concerns about staffing levels and patient care. There are worker strikes against Allina almost every year. [...]
Allina Builds Abbott Northwestern Hospital Utility Plant Before Getting Air Emissions Permit
Public Comment Period on Permit Opening this Fall Abbott Northwestern Hospital's Central Utility Plant under construction at E 26th Street and Chicago Avenue. According to MN Rule 7005.0100 Subp. 3a, activities that should not be started before an air emissions permit is issued include “installing building supports and foundations, laying underground pipework, and constructing permanent storage structures.” Photo by Ben Heath By LINDSEY FENNER If you’ve driven on E 26th Street through Phillips this past summer, you’ve likely gone past the construction site at 26th and Chicago where Allina Health is building a new Central Utility Plant for Abbott Northwestern Hospital. Besides the traffic headache this has created, the bigger problem is that Allina has started construction on the utility plant before getting the final air emissions permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). Allina Health, which owns Abbott Northwestern Hospital and has their [...]
Allina Moving Phillips Eye Institute, Reducing Services and Staff
By Lindsey Fenner Allina Health has announced they are moving the Phillips Eye Institute (PEI) out of it’s building at 2215 Park Avenue in February 2022. Both in-patient and out-patient eye care will be moved into the Abbott Northwestern Hospital Campus, which is undergoing a $199 million renovation and rebuilding project. The move will also mean a reduction in staff. Allina did not respond to questions about how many staff positions will be lost, but said in a statement that they are “committed to working closely with employees impacted by the transition to provide support and direction for future job opportunities within the Allina Health system.” Allina did not provide any information on the future of the PEI building and the nearly 2 acre site in the Phillips West neighborhood. In a statement, they said “Allina Health is committed to working with our community partners to determine the best future use of the PEI building.” As of mid-November, Allina had not [...]
