The Lakewood City Council has agreed to let voters decide whether to reopen Cleveland Clinic's 108-year-old Lakewood (Ohio) Hospital, which ceased inpatient services in February.
Cleveland Clinic announced plans to close the hospital last January, and, after 11 months of debate, the system reached an agreement in December to close the facility. Cleveland Clinic agreed to replace the hospital with a family health center, which would include outpatient-based programs, an emergency department and wellness and outreach services.
Since the hospital's closure, Lakewood city officials and some residents have been at odds over whether the hospital should remain closed in favor of the promised health center or reopen, according to the Lakewood Patch.
A vote on the issue will be held Nov. 8. The public vote could force the city to reopen Lakewood Hospital with Cleveland Clinic, according to the report.
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