House joins Senate in passing legislation to seize Norwood Hospital property by eminent domain
Senior Digital Editor/Producer, WCVB.com
NORWOOD, Mass. —
The House passed legislation Friday that would allow Massachusetts to exercise its eminent domain authority and take the land occupied by the under-construction Norwood Hospital.
The Senate passed it Wednesday, and Gov. Maura Healey said she intends to sign it once it reaches her desk.
More than six years ago, Norwood Hospital was forced to close after it was heavily damaged by floods. Although work to rebuild the facility was started, it was later abandoned.
The region has felt the impacts without immediate hospital care. As it stands, 11 acres remain vacant and 1,100 hospital employees have moved on.
In February, State Rep. John Rogers and Sen. Michael Rush, whose districts include Norwood, proposed the bill to authorize the Division of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance to take the land by eminent domain.
History of Norwood Hospital
On June 28, 2020, more than 4 inches of rain fell in Norwood in approximately 90 minutes. In low-lying areas, like the parking lots outside the hospital, several feet of water collected rapidly.
Surveillance footage from inside the hospital showed doors buckling under the pressure as water rushed in, slamming against furniture, equipment and boxes.
Video: Water breaks down doors at Norwood Hospital during flood
Then-owner Steward Health Care originally said it planned to build a new hospital with more than 400,000 square feet of space including emergency services, 10 operating rooms, advanced diagnostic imaging services and space for outpatient services. Work started, but was never completed.
Steward bankruptcy halts work
In 2024, after Steward’s bankruptcy, two of the company’s hospitals in Massachusetts closed and state officials facilitated the sale of six others. Norwood Hospital became the property of MPT. Construction never resumed and the structure remains incomplete.
“We had assumed that Medical Properties Trust was going to, in good faith, find an operator,” said Norwood General Manager Tony Mazzucco. “Come to find out that those negotiations have not gone anywhere.”
Rep. John Rogers (D.) echoed similar sentiments, saying in part that MPT has been “asleep at the switch” when it comes to finding a qualified hospital operator.
Norwood Hospital’s license with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health expired in 2024.
Last year, the town launched a website and marketing campaign to lure an operator and drum up public support.
Video: Lawmakers push bill to let state seize Norwood Hospital property