The brand-new Wynn Hospital in Utica is scheduled to open in October. Whether we wanted it or not, here it comes. The Wynn hospital broke ground at the end of 2019, and after four years of waiting, it is now ready to open. I applaud all those who made this happen, but one would think there would be ample parking for everyone considering the size of this hospital when it opens up. Sadly, the parking garage will not be completed until March 2024, so where do we park in the meantime?

Parking areas will be overcrowded because doctors, nurses, administrative personnel and other hospital employees need to park too. Even if there were two open-air parking areas, one for the Wynn staff and the other one for people like us, would there be enough parking slots for those coming in for an appointment and those who are visiting family members in the hospital?

How long will it take to find a parking slot and not miss your appointment?

Questions also remain regarding if there are enough doctors, nurses, administrative, information technology and maintenance personnel to properly man the hospital?

Here’s my solution. We have waited four years for the hospital to be built and ready to open their doors. So what’s a couple more months of waiting going to do? This gives time for the garage to be built and both buildings can be ready and open at the same time! Meanwhile, hold tours in the hospital, work out any kinks within the hospital, and ensure manning issues are resolved before opening the doors to the masses.

— Gary Walker, Utica