Developer files motion to reopen bids for former Queens hospitals

A development group has filed a request to reopen bidding on two shuttered Queens hospitals, citing an unfair bidding process in the last auction. Village Management Group asked a federal bankruptcy court yesterday to allow it a shot at the St. John’s Hospital and Mary Immaculate Hospital properties, located in Elmhurst and Jamaica, respectively, which CB Richard Ellis auctioned last month. The winning bidder, Guttman Realty, which spent a total of $26.63 million on the two properties, was announced Oct. 20. Residents and local officials, including Helen Marshall, the Queens borough president, have expressed concern over Guttman’s intention to transform the properties into non-medical facilities. Village Management Group says that it has been in talks with New York Hospital Queens officials to reopen the St. John’s property as a medical center.