The “thank you” sign on Union Hospital recognizes the bygone institution’s role in Lynn residents’ lives and acknowledges a new era beginning on Lynnfield Street.
Medical care isn’t ending on Lynnfield Street. The medical building with its urgent care center is busy and a Lynn family with strong connections to Union Hospital is helping to usher in its next chapter.
David J. Solimine Jr. purchased the property last year and hopes to build 150 apartments for people 62 and older; and 28 homes for people 55 and older on the former parking lot across Woodland Avenue North. That property will be managed by 2Life Communities, which has senior-care locations around Greater Boston.
The Solimine family played a prominent role in Union Hospital’s success when David J. Solimine Sr. made a significant donation toward the emergency room’s construction. His son is committed to making the hospital site the future location for a senior community with support facilities.
The two-story building at the back of the hospital site will remain standing and converted to medical and social services provided by Element Care’s PACE program. “They keep people in their own homes,” Solimine said in explaining why he partnered with Element Care.
Union Hospital’s closing was a testament to the changing economics and medical-care models prevailing in the healthcare industry, particularly when it comes to medicine and aging.
Medicine has advanced since the late 20th century and life expectancy has increased with baby boomers living well into their 90s. With these advances has come the medical care and housing needs that Solimine, an experienced local developer, aims to meet with his plans for the Union Hospital site.
COVID-19’s cruelest blow fell on seniors who died by the score in nursing homes and who were left isolated by pandemic social-distancing protocols. Senior communities like the one Solimine wants to build can go a long way toward providing older area residents with the medical care, housing and social life balance they desire and need to live healthy lives.
Union Hospital will be relegated to the history books when demolition is completed this summer. A new chapter is beginning on Lynnfield Street, thanks to Solimine’s commitment to the hospital site’s future.
