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New York-Presbyterian Scales Back Plans for New Maternity Care Center

 New York-Presbyterian hospital's new building, pictured in this proposed rendering, will be on York Avenue between East 68th and 69th streets.
New York-Presbyterian hospital's new building, pictured in this proposed rendering, will be on York Avenue between East 68th and 69th streets.
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New York-Presbytarian Hospital

UPPER EAST SIDE — One of the nation's best hospitals doesn't have enough money to go forward with plans for a new maternity ward, officials told DNAinfo.com New York.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital announced in July 2012 plans to build an eco-friendly, 15-story building on York Avenue — between East 68 and 69th streets — that would house an ambulatory care center (ACC) and maternity facility.

But one year later, officials there said they now only have money for the ACC.

The scaling back was first mentioned at a Community Board 8 July 11 and later confirmed by the institution. 

Ellie Dalton, vice president of facilities at New York Presbyterian, said at the meeting that the hospital would start with the ACC and "if and when we have additional fundraising, we will then proceed with the maternity hospital."

A hospital spokesperson later explained via e-mail that funding is "in place to move forward" with the ACC but plans for the maternity program will be temporarily suspended.

The building will still be developed so that maternity programming can be brought into the space — if the hospital can raise enough cash, the spokesperson said.

"We will incorporate the maternity services component into the design and infrastructure so that should funds become available, we can include that programmatic component," the spokesperson said in an e-mail to DNAinfo.com New York.

Officials did not share specifics about the costs needed to build the maternity ward.

New York-Presbyterian Hospital — which is nationally recognized and ranked No. 1 in the city and metro area — previously said the forthcoming facility would include 12 operating and 12 endoscopy rooms as well as private rooms for mothers and newborns.

The expansion will replace two residential buildings, which mostly house hospital staff.

Asbestos removal, which these buildings must undergo before demolition, will begin Aug. 1, hospital officials also announced at the meeting.