Politics & Government

Quieter Hospital Fans Bring Welcome Relief in Richmond Heights

A Yale Avenue resident said he's pleased with the changes.

The quality of life on Yale Avenue near has improved substantially thanks to noise-reducing fans recently installed on the hospital's air-conditioning (AC) units, a Richmond Heights resident said.

"It's a lot better," said Ken Gurney, who along with several neighbors has been meeting with the hospital and city officials to get relief from the noise.

The fans were installed by the end of May. Video captured by Gurney and attached to this article shows the decrease in noise this year as compared to years past.

While it might be nice for the hospital to install a wall or shrubbery between the AC units and adjoining houses, he said, "beggars can't be choosers."

Don Wojtkowski, the hospital's executive director of design, construction and facilities, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Yale Avenue resident Kevin Boker and his family live directly behind the hospital. They moved into the house two years ago, unaware of the noise created by the AC units.

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He's also noticed the change.

"It's definitely a much improved situation," Boker said. "I understand that it cost quite a bit to do it. It's much appreciated."

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He spoke with Wojtkowski a couple of weeks ago about a similar issue: Open doors to the hospital's chiller plant that result in heightened noise. The hospital agreed last year to keep the doors closed, Boker said, but recent heat over 100 degrees has made that a challenge. He said Wojtkowski told him the doors are opened in extreme temperatures to prevent the AC system from overloading.

"The interaction was agreeable, and he was thankful that things have improved," Boker said.

More about the AC units at SSM St. Mary's on Patch:


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