Representatives from several state, county and local entities and organizations have mixed opinions about a proposed large-scale medical complex at March Air Reserve Base.

Donald Ecker, managing member and project leader of March Healthcare Development, said the county is in short supply of health care services, including hospital beds. His proposal, submitted earlier this year as March LifeCare to the March Joint Powers Authority, would provide full-service health care and prevent residents from leaving the area to get treatment, he said.

Project supporters say they agree with Ecker's perception that the Inland needs more health care services. They also are eager for job creation in the area, which suffers from double-digit unemployment.

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Some people say the complex wouldn't create jobs but rather drain other hospitals of staff and exacerbate the Inland's chronic shortage of health care professionals.

The authority's staff still is responding to 15 written remarks it received during a recent public comment period. The authority, which oversees development of the former Air Force base, is required to solicit comments on a proposed development's environmental impact report before it can take action.

It could be at least another month before the authority's commissioners vote on the proposal, said Lori Stone, the authority's executive director.

Proponent's of Ecker's proposal, including Air Force Village West, stated in its response that it "whole heartedly supports the concept. Air Force Village West is interested in forming a partnership with (Ecker)."

Other remarks offered about the project centered around possible plan modifications to ensure the site adequately addresses traffic, infrastructure, flood control, solid waste and base security and safety needs. They did not condemn the project.

Attorney Michelle Ouellette, of Best Best & Krieger in Riverside, said she is aware of the remarks and is working with the authority's staff to address them. The project's environmental impact report belongs to the authority and it is the agency's responsibility to prepare a response.

"We're just not there yet," said Ouellette, adding that it's too soon for her to comment.

If approved, March LifeCare would become a full-service medical complex, including a hospital and retail space, which would span more than 3.5 million square feet in the northeast portion of the base. The project would in about 10 years create around 14,000 jobs and have a $2 billion economic impact on the area, Ecker has said.

The project's first construction phase would include a community acute-care hospital, which Ecker already has named March Community Hospital.

"I'm staying in this project to build it to the end," Ecker said.

The Southern California Association of Governments found that the project "partially meets consistency" with regional transportation goals and the agency's growth plans. The organization is federally-mandated to research and plan for transportation, growth management, hazardous waste management, and air quality.

March Joint Powers Authority commissioners have differing opinions about Ecker's proposal. Chairman Mark Yarbrough said the project has potential to be the economic engine that the former Air Force base and the county needs.

"At this point, I'm really looking forward to approving the project," said Yarbrough, who also is Perris' mayor pro tem. "I can't imagine anything that could derail it."

In Moreno Valley's responses, officials said they would support the project as long as its development doesn't negatively impact existing city land use and infrastructure, such as sewer and drainage lines.

"I wouldn't describe that as a concern," said Mark Sambito, Morerno Valley's Department of Public Works engineering division manager. "It's our responsibility to look out for residents.

Balanced Competition

Other respondents, including Doug Bagley, CEO of Riverside County Regional Medical Center, the county's public hospital in Moreno Valley, stated that the Inland region already has a shortage of doctors, nurses and other medical professionals. Inclusion of a hospital at the complex would siphon medical professionals from existing health care facilities, not create new jobs, he said.

Ecker said Bagley is orchestrating opposition because he and other hospital administrators fear competition.

"They did not think (this project) would happen," he said. "And they gambled wrong," Ecker said, adding that "people who have a choice (of medical care) are not going to go to Riverside County Regional Medical Center."

The hospital's chief operations officer Ellie Bennett disputed Ecker's claim. She said the facility's administration repeatedly has asked Ecker for documentation demonstrating the need for a sixth hospital in the Riverside/Moreno Valley area and how he would staff it.

"He cannot provide us with any evidence," Bennett said. "Competition is a good thing if it's based on true findings and based on true need. This is not a playground. We are talking about the region's need for well-balanced health care."

While Bagley opposes construction of a hospital, the county does have a representative on the developer's advisory board.

Dr. Eric Frykman, the county's public health officer and director of its Community Health Agency, is a member of March Healthcare Development's advisory board. He said the county wanted someone on the board to provide impartial representation.

He said the project has merit because he believes the region does have a hospital bed shortage. He said he is not a financial investor in the project.

"I recognize that Doug (Bagley) has an opinion about the project in his position as the CEO of the county hospital," he said.

Major Development

Ecker said he has agreements with several people and groups, whose names he wouldn't reveal. March Healthcare Development would develop the area for construction.

It would partner with health care organizations, providers and educators, which would then construct medical buildings, including a hospital, doctors offices, research, education, surgery and long-term care facilities, according to the project proposal submitted for comment.

Ecker's goal is to break ground after he and March Joint Powers Authority strike an agreement. He wants the first patient to be seen in 2011.

The March LifeCare complex would be the third big project to come to March Air Force Base if it is approved.

LNR Corp., Newport Beach-based developer of the 1,290-acre Meridian business park, is expected to generate at least 12,000 jobs and is held up by the March Joint Powers Authority as an economic success.

However, DHL and March GlobalPort, the developer of DHL's hub, were hit with a barrage of problems, including use of an inaccurate flight-path map at public hearings, a noise study that was obscured and faulty revenue projections, before DHL left earlier this year.

Commissioner Yarbrough said DHL's departure from the Air Force base was unfortunate but there was little the commission could have done to prevent it.

"We need to stay in front of construction and make sure that the documentation is solid and everything is transparent," Yarbrough said.

Commissioner Bob Buster, who is also a Riverside County supervisor, said comments submitted regarding Ecker's proposal indicate there are some obstacles. "Our goal, our mission out there is jobs," Buster said. "We hope (Ecker's development) intersects with what our plans are at March."

Reach Lora Hines at 951-368-9444 or lhines@PE.com