Temporary Helistop in Grosse Pointe Woods to be Decommissioned Soon

St. John Hospital and Medical Center has had six medical flights land in Grosse Pointe Woods at the temporary helistop established to help the hospital until the final location and permits could be approved in Detroit.

The agreement for the temporary location allowed for up to 20 flights in six months. In a recent update to Patch, Woods City Administrator Al Fincham said the temporary helistop is still in place along with the agreement approved by council last year.

It will be decommissioned in the next few weeks however, as the hospital has gained apporpriate approval for such a space on the Detroit side of the building, Fincham said.

Ultimately the hospitlal will be functioning in the permanent location in less than the time originally estimted to the Woods council in seeking approval for the temprorary location, which was six months.

The few flights that have landed became an issue for residents nearby who contacted Woods city employee regarding the noise. Officials met last month to discuss the complaints, which stemmed from the "fly neighborly" clause not being followed by the pilots. The clause required a specific flight path so the helicopter would only fly over main roads and the hospital only rather than any residential area.

The permanent location will be on the top floor of the parking structure on the Detroit side, Fincham said.

Despite some complaints by a few people, other residents expressed happiness that the hospital was making such improvements and offering such services.