Clear Lake council reviews sale of Pierce Field parcel to Adventist Health for planned medical facility

CLEAR LAKE — The Clear Lake City Council on Dec. 7 reviewed a purchase‑and‑sale agreement that would open escrow on roughly 3 acres of city‑owned land at the Pierce Field site to Adventist Health Clear Lake for a planned medical office building.

City Manager Alan Flora told the council the parcel north of Airport Road is the first step in a larger plan for the site. Flora said the facility under consideration would be about 38,000 square feet and described the project as “approximately a $50,000,000 investment.” He said the city would initiate an environmental impact report (EIR) and provide infrastructure to the site before any final commitments.

The agreement reserves an additional roughly 10 acres at the Pierce Field property for possible future uses, including an imaging center or a new hospital, though Flora emphasized those uses are not commitments at this time. “We would essentially be opening escrow between us and Adventist Health for, approximately 3 acres,” Flora said.

Adventist Health Clear Lake President Colleen Asawa Pisacoon introduced members of the hospital’s executive team and thanked the council. Judson Howe, president of Adventist Health’s North Coast Network, said the organization is committed to expanding access across Mendocino and Lake counties. “Serving our communities is something we wake up every morning to do,” Howe said.

Council members asked about jobs and services. In response to a question from Council Member Logan, Howe said the project could generate roughly 75 full‑time‑equivalent positions based on an estimate of about 150,000 visits a year, noting the staff wage range would include roles paying roughly $25 to $75 per hour. Flora had earlier described the facility as expected to attract about 65,000 patients per year; those differing figures were presented by different speakers and were not reconciled during the meeting.

Council Member Overton pressed the Adventist team about whether plans could include a 24‑hour detox facility to address addiction and homelessness in the area. Howe said Adventist Health “would like the flexibility” to consider crisis stabilization, respite or detoxification spaces as part of a broader continuum of care but did not commit to a 24‑hour detox center.

Conrad Colbert, executive director of the Redbud Healthcare District, told the council the project would help recruit physicians and support surrounding commercial development. No formal motion or vote on the sale was recorded at the special meeting; Flora recommended approval and said the matter would move forward through escrow and the environmental review process before any final council action.

Next steps identified at the meeting include opening escrow if the council approves the agreement, the city initiating an environmental impact report for the site and follow‑up council review once the EIR and related studies are complete. The council scheduled another meeting for 6:00 p.m. that evening.