Parking Facility at Hialeah Hospital Remains Intact Nearly a Year After Closure, Says Director

Hialeah Hospital's CEO, Luis Allende, has broken his silence to address why the facility's parking garage—shut down almost a year ago due to safety concerns—still stands and has unveiled a concrete plan for its demolition and replacement for the first time, as revealed in an exclusive interview with Telemundo 51.

The structure was closed in September 2025, mere hours after an investigative report uncovered deteriorating concrete, broken pipes, and numerous temporary supports that had been in place since 2022.

Medical Properties Trust (MPT), the owner of the property, had initially vowed that the garage would be demolished by December of that year, a promise that remains unfulfilled.

Technical Challenges in Demolition

Why does the garage still stand? Allende, who has overseen the hospital since 2022, provided a technical rationale for the delay: the parking facility is physically connected to an adjacent medical building, necessitating protective measures before any demolition can proceed.

"The parking structure is linked to that building, so we must ensure its safety during demolition," he stated during a tour of the closed facility.

Allende assured that dismantling will commence in the coming weeks and that the replacement project has already secured municipal approval.

The Role of Journalism in Hastening Closure

When journalist Myriam Masihy highlighted how media coverage expedited the closure, Allende straightforwardly confirmed: "Correct."

The director also mentioned that there was an existing plan with the city, but the investigation sped up the response:

"We had an agreement with the city for closure once Healthcare Systems of America (HSA) took control of the hospital. Obviously, the report accelerated everything, prompting immediate action."

Asked if he noticed the deterioration when parking there, he replied, "Even since I began my role as CEO, addressing this issue has been a priority."

Background of Financial Struggles

The crisis traces back to the stewardship of Steward Health Care, which operated the hospital until it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2024, burdened by approximately $9 billion in debt.

Temporary supports were installed in 2022 by the construction firm Peak CM, which proposed a $3 million investment for permanent repairs a year later, a proposal that was never approved.

On this period, Allende concisely remarked, "We were amidst bankruptcy proceedings."

Future Parking and Hospital Enhancements

The replacement project envisions a six-level structure with 645 parking spaces, elevators, and new security systems, scheduled for completion by November 2027.

"Unlike the previous situation with Steward and the bankruptcy transition, we now have a plan, permits are in place, coordination with the city is established, and projects have commenced," Allende emphasized.

Currently, patients and visitors must pay to park in areas previously reserved for staff. On the promise of free parking during construction, Allende clarified that this benefit applies only to employees:

"Free transportation and parking are for the staff, my employees who are the real heroes, parking at Hialeah Park Casino."

Hospital Improvements Underway

Following the reports, many viewers voiced concerns about the hospital's overall conditions.

During Steward's bankruptcy, the hospital operated with only one elevator for patient transport; it now has three in operation.

The cafeteria has been renovated, and the construction of a fast-track area within the emergency department, which was halted during the transition, has resumed.

"The most significant change for me is in our emergency room: construction had started under Steward, was halted due to bankruptcy, but now I can confirm it has resumed, and we will have a new Fast Track," concluded Allende.