Southwest Art:  Wenger Collection

September 2 – October 16

Sept. 2  Gallery Talk and Reception

Falls City Library and Art Gallery

1400 Stone St.

Falls City, Nebraska

402.245.2913

Library Permanent Collection

July 2 – August 13

July 9  Gallery Talk and Reception

Falls City Library and Art Gallery

1400 Stone St.

Falls City, Nebraska

402.245.2913

Falls City Journal/November 12, 2009
By Scott Schock

So, how do you move a hospital?

Approximately 18 months (on schedule) after ground was broken on a spectacular new facility, the staff at Community Medical Center in Falls City will have the answer to that question.  While some office and medical equipment has (and is) been moved into the new facility, the majority of the move will take place next weekend, Friday, Nov. 20, through Sunday, Nov. 23.  In advance of the heavy lifting, an open house with tours is planned at the new CMC from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16.  All are welcome, said hospital CEO Ryan Larsen.

The formal dedication ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22 (no tours). Larsen said arrangements have been made for a large tent and heaters so that all attending the dedication will be comfortable.  Planning to attend the dedication are Sen. Ben Nelson and, possibly, Gov. Dave Heineman, Nebraska Sen. Lavon Heidemann and a representative of the Nebraska Hospital Association. Larsen said CMC has been working with the Falls City Area Ministerial Association on the dedication plans.

Then on Monday, Nov. 23, the new hospital will be open for patients. “Sunday night will be busy,” Larsen understated.  “We’ll be ready Monday morning with smiles on to greet patients.” Larsen said a lot of planning, with built in flexibility, has gone into the moving plans.  All of the doctors, nurses, aides and support personnel have been “trained and oriented” in advance of the transfer to the new building.  It is essential, he said, that everyone know where medical equipment and supplies are located in order to efficiently treat patients.  “We’ve done the walk-throughs” and are “in pretty good shape,” the administrator said.

The move, Larsen said, represents “a lot of effort by a lot of people.”  He noted that CMC is fortunate to have learned from other staffs at similar facilities that have been through a hospital move.  “We’ve learned from others’ mistakes,” he said.  The primary concern is to safely move patients from the old facility to the new one.  A written plan in that regard has been submitted to the State of Nebraska, said Larsen, and the Nebraska Fire Marshal’s office issued an occupancy permit about two weeks ago.

A professional company from Omaha with expertise in moving medical and health-related equipment will handle most of the heavy and precise moving requirements. Larson said the entire moving plan was “way too much for me” to handle, so he selected “our most organized and dynamic people to do much of the planning,” including members of the hospital board. ……If needed, the Hiawatha Hospital will help with any tests that might be necessary while the weekend move is underway.  Larsen said extra staff and ambulances have been scheduled for next weekend for any emergencies.

….The administrator expressed his appreciation to the doctors and staff, who have been “excellent throughout the project.”  He said the families of staff members have also sacrificed as the staff has worked extra hours to ensure a smooth transition.

….The $21 million new Community Medical Center is a 56,000 square food facility, all on one floor.  It includes 24 patient rooms, a state-of-the-art surgery suite, private specialty clinics, two delivery rooms with maternity suites and Family Medicine Clinic. Located west of Old Highway 73 at 3307 North Barada, the facility features a myriad of new, technologically advanced equipment, from digital mammography to new patient beds and surgical equipment.  Larsen said approximately $2.5 million in new equipment has been purchased for the new hospital.  The original hospital, now known as Community Medical Center, was constructed in 1918 and dedicated in 1919.

Falls City Journal/October 1, 2009

The Heritage Nebraska Board of Directors formally accepted Falls City as the newest Nebraska Main Street Community at their meeting earlier this month (September) in Omaha. A formal recognition ceremony in the community is slated for this fall and will be the final step in the Main Street community selection process for Falls City.  An initial organizational orientation program will take place in January 2010 and a more intensive training for Chamber Manager Becky Fischer, staff and volunteers will be scheduled in the spring.

“We are extremely honored to be chosen to participate in the Main Street program and look forward to working with the state coordinating staff and other Main Street communities,” Fischer said.  “Our business owners downtown are excited to tap into the resources and assistance of the Main Street program as we preserve our hometown past with a vision for the future.”

In February a group of Falls City leaders traveled to Grand Island to attend a workshop in pursuit of becoming the next Heritage Main Street Community.  Fischer and the Chamber Executive Board, which includes President Mike Moore, Past President Adam Morris, First Vice President Cassey Whalen, Second Vice President Gary Jorn and Treasurer Barb Vice unanimously agreed to move forward with the project.  After months of research, time, effort and energy being spent on the application, Fischer and Morris worked diligently to get the application completed and submitted by the June 30 deadline.  The detailed and lengthy application included a letter of intent to apply, written by Fischer, describing FC’s historic values, the proposed size for the Falls City Heritage Main Street District, which includes 18 blocks stretching from 14th to 20th Street north and south, and from Harlan to Chase Streets east and west.  Within this district there are 98 businesses that employ 549 people.

“We the Falls City Area Chamber of Commerce feel that by participating in the Heritage Nebraska Main Street program we will have the vital components of economic development and growth to help enhance Falls City,” Fischer said.  “I believe that the Main Street Program can help to preserve and revitalize our impressive and historical downtown.”

Through the Main Street Program, Falls City plans to partner with government officials, business people, private individuals and civic leaders to attract new businesses, promote existing establishments and build a strong economic base while maintaining Falls City’s historic character and rural atmosphere.

“Falls City is working to create an area that is unique and remembered, a district which hosts seasonal events which capture the interest of our community, and the preservation of our culture and our past,” Fischer said.  “The Main Street program uses a common-sense approach to tackle the complex issues of downtown and neighborhood commercial district revitalization, capitalizing on the history and the resources of the community itself.  We feel that all historic properties should be recognized as a physical record of time, place and use.  “A historic property should be rehabilitated to retain its historic character for continuing or for possible new use.  Life around any city once revolved around its downtown business district and this is what we want to bring back to Falls City.  When visitors take a stroll through our downtown area they get a glimpse into the past and a sense of welcome and charm,” Fischer said.