NEST gathers signatures opposing CNU 'ghost hospital' in Elk Grove's Stonelake neighborhood

Even though they were competing with the first weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament and the just-released Mueller report, a group of community activists generated substantial interest for their opposition to a major project proposed in Elk Grove.

The group, Neighbors Ensuring Stonelake Transparency, NEST, was formed following the December 2018 announcement from the for-profit California Northstate University that they intend to build a $750 million teaching hospital on the current site of the Stonelake Landing shopping center in Elk Grove's Stonelake neighborhood. To facilitate the proposed hospital, the shopping center, which is a part of the master-planned community, would need to be demolished. 

As part of their efforts, NEST has launched an advisory petition signature gathering effort. That effort included a two-hour event at Dreaming Dog Brewery on the afternoon of Sunday. March 24.  

During the two hours, people from all parts of Elk Grove came in to sign the petition. According to NEST organizers (see their comments in the video below) they collected over 100 signatures. 

While some of the people signing the petition just stopped to add their name to the growing list of those opposing the project, many stayed to socialize.

A common theme of the discussion was the curiosity of how CNU will finance the project, pegged at $750 million, before the recent announcement of expanding from 250 to 400 beds. During a community meeting on February 22, CNU's president Dr. Alvin Cheung and spokesperson Gary Davis dodged questions on who or how the hospital will be financed. 

Although the project is in the early stages, many Elk Grove residents have openly expressed doubt on the viability of the project. In reference to Elk Grove's now demolished and infamous ghost mall, many have already suggested this project could be another failed project and are already calling it a ghost hospital.