Recently, in an attempt to offer alternatives to the City of White Plains, in addition to moving forward with its plan to build two, 192,000-sf buildings on property adjacent to Bryant Avenue, the hospital has recently proposed two new sites for its proposed plan. The alternate sites would involve either the construction of one, 384,000-sf building, or the development of a large building to house biomedical research operations and a smaller structure to house a "Center for Advanced Proton Technology." The facility would utilize proton beam accelerator technology, which is used for cancer diagnosis and treatment. There are currently only two such facilities nationwide.

The White Plains Common Council, which recently designated the hospital's environmental submittals as complete, could decide on the venture's site plan application at its next meeting on Aug. 5. Thereafter, while some other approvals may be necessary, the hospital would basically be able to move forward and plan for construction and take steps necessary to obtain financing.

The proposed biomedical facility has been highly controversial as citizens have voiced concerns over the project's use, traffic and other issues. In addition, some city residents have been looking to have the hospital preserve a portion of its grounds as open space and donate the land for use as a city park. Several years ago, the hospital offered to set aside 60 acres for a public park, but when the city refused to review its biomedical plans, the park offer was withdrawn.