The first plan was to locate the helipad at the corner of Montgomery and Sanders streets, then a second plan was to move it to where the hospital currently is located off Wolford and Sharp streets.
But that did not sit well with Richard Montgomery, who lives on Adams Street and has voiced his opposition to the plan.
After a motion was made to close the street, Montgomery questioned the legality of the closing.
"I'm not sure you can do this, it (the street) is owned by the public," he said. Montgomery thinks the city has to advertise the proposed closing of a street and give members of the public a right to voice their opinions on the closing.
Montgomery said the road closing is not as big an issue as the helipad situation.
"I don't want a helicopter back there," said Montgomery. "It's a potential hazard that could happen, but may not happen."
Taking a position
Montgomery said he'd rather the city take a position on the helipad rather than dance around the issue.
Councilman Steven Brown questioned the council on what options it has on blocking the street. He said the motion doesn't have anything to do with the helipad.
"We've given them a letter that we will close the street," said Councilman Barry Davis.
"In my opinion, that was all that was asked," said Mayor Steve Sweeney.
"You've been asleep on this helicopter issue," said Montgomery.
"I agree," said Sweeney.
"I'm opposed to closing Office Street, but I'm not opposed to the hospital," the mayor said. Sweeney said he was raised near the hospital where his father practiced medicine for 40 years.
He praised the hospital board for getting the hospital reopened after it was closed in the 1990s, but disagreed with the hospital taking one of the nicest neighborhoods for the new hospital. "It's unfortunate, but pretty much done," he said.
Sweeney also disagrees with locating a helipad near the hospital and said it needs to stay where it is behind Farmers Deposit Bank off the bypass.
"I've asked the hospital board to consider leaving the helipad behind the bank, but they've ignored our request," Sweeney said.
Montgomery said he will not oppose the street closing if the hospital does not build the helipad at the current site.
Councilman Brad Vaughn amended his motion to get legal advice on the street closing. The council voted for the motion with the exception of Councilman Mitch Phillips.
