Mercyhealth has confirmed that a local pastor and his wife have agreed to purchase the former Rockford Memorial Hospital, 2400 N. Rockton Ave.
The Rev. Melvin Brown, and his wife, the Rev. Shelia Brown, owners of Kingdom Authority Church in downtown Rockford, signed a purchase agreement for the hospital that a decade ago supported 396 hospital beds and a Level 1 trauma center on more than 7 acres.
“The Browns have spent more than 30 years ministering and providing social support for members of the Rockford community,” Mercyhealth Vice President Kara Sankey said in a written statement. “Their dedication to serving others, coupled with their vision for the building, will have a positive impact on the community.”
What plans the Browns have for the massive facility have not been announced. Melvin Brown declined to comment and said he would reveal plans for the hospital later in September during a news conference.
The Browns, Kingdom Authority Church, staff and 10 children in the church daycare won a $360,000 judgment from the city after a jury found Rockford police officers had acted recklessly when they shot and killed Mark Anthony Barmore in August 2009 after pursuing him into the church and its House of Grace Daycare.
Plaintiffs had sought $4 million. Each daycare child who witnessed the incident was awarded $10,000, a daycare worker was awarded $45,000 and Shelia Brown was awarded $15,000. The jury declined to award Brown or his daughter damages.
The purchase agreement was first revealed on Facebook by the couple’s daughter, Marissa Brown.
“So proud to share some amazing news!” Marissa Brown posted. “A big congratulations to my incredible parents, who are now the proud new owners of the hospital. Their vision goes beyond ownership — they have exciting plans to invest in and uplift our community in a big way. Stay tuned… more updates coming soon!”
The donation comes after Mercyhealth attempted give the property to the city of Rockford and area nonprofit organizations which declined the offer.
And it comes after Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara had asked Mercyhealth not to donate or sell the property to anyone without the financial means and experience to turn it into something productive. McNamara had urged Mercyhealth not to sell or donate the hospital to anyone without a proven redevelopment track record.
McNamara said he wishes the new owners success.
But he views what Mercyhealth has done as a way to pawn off an expensive property “with little regard for the impact this will have on our community’s residents.” As a hospital, Mercyhealth paid no taxes on the property. Depending on its use, the property tax bill could now be pricey and so will maintenance costs.
“For Mercyhealth, this is a bailout and a tax write-off,” McNamara said. “I am confident the new owners have the best of intentions; however, I cannot imagine that hospital leadership has set them up for success. Simply maintaining the property will cost approximately $1.5 million each year. My greatest concern, which I voiced last week, is that any new owner will struggle to be successful without the resources, planning and capacity required to manage the scale and expense of such a massive property.”
Jeff Kolkey writes about government, economic development and other issues for the Rockford Register Star. He can be reached via email at jkolkey@rrstar.com and on X @jeffkolkey.
This article originally appeared on Rockford Register Star: Despite mayor’s warnings, pastor and wife set to acquire Rockford hospital property
Reporting by Jeff Kolkey, Rockford Register Star / Rockford Register Star
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