Touro plan for cancer center up for review

Touro plan for cancer center up for review

Commission to study environmental impact

By JESSICA A. YORK/Times-Herald staff writer

Article Launched: 05/31/2008 08:03:17 AM PDT

Vallejo Planning Commissioners will consider Monday night an environmental review of Touro University's planned Mare Island cancer treatment and research center.

The cutting-edge project, which would be a first of its kind in the United States, requires commission ratification for Touro to pursue steps to reduce the project's environmental impact on the island's north end. City planning staff is recommending the project's approval to the City Council.

The 125,000-square-foot facility, designed to treat cancer patients with proton particle beams, is "probably the one major bright spot in Vallejo's future," said Jim Mitchell, Touro University public relations director.

Mitchell said the city's economic woes are not a deterrent for the development.


If the Vallejo City Council ultimately approves the project, demolition work could begin by summer's end and the project likely would be completed within three and a half years, Mitchell said. The project is one of two the university has planned for the island's north end. The cancer center facility will sit on city-owned property, offering less of a challenge than the next university expansion project, which would rest partly on U.S. Navy property.


• E-mail Jessica A. York at jyork@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6834.