A California hospital that closed in 2018 is moving forward in the reopening process, according to the Press-Telegram.
Community Medical Center Long Beach (Calif.) closed in July 2018 due to an active earthquake fault line under the facility and its inability to meet state standards to make the building earthquake-resistant.
The hospital did not make a Jan. 1 deadline to reopen. Its operator, Molina, Wu, Network and the city of Long Beach have been negotiating a lease agreement for the hospital's property. Both sides have debated who will pay for renovations to meet the earthquake standards.
But on Oct. 15, the Long Beach City Council approved a long-term lease with Molina, Wu, Network that took effect immediately, according to the Press-Telegram.
Long Beach's Economic Development Director John Keisler told the newspaper approval of the new lease means Community Medical Center could reopen as soon as next month.
Under the 45-year lease, Molina, Wu, Network is responsible for maintenance costs, and Long Beach has agreed to pay for half the cost of earthquake-resistance work, up to $25 million, the Press-Telegram reported.