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John Daley Reporting Questions over sound and safety arise, as students make some noise over moving a medical helicopter landing pad.
Some University of Utah students are stirred up and are circulating a petition, because they say their neighborhood noise level is about to go way up.
The issue revolves around new construction at University Hospital. It's forcing the relocation of the helicopter landing pad, and creating a bit of a conflict between life and death, and peace and quiet.
"It sounded like it was landing on top of my head. That's landing right where I live and sleep. It's close, very close."
Lis Cohen has a problem. She's a U of U graduate student worried that a helicopter will soon be chopping into her sleep and study time, once it relocates to a temporary new helipad going in right next to her dorm.
Lis Cohen/ Uni. of Utah Graduate Student: "The residents are very upset because we have this helicopter moving in and it's very noisy."
UMED is undergoing a multi-million dollar expansion. Two new levels of parking are being built where the chopper currently resides, forcing it to move to the new pad. It'll be there for months.
The hospital says it considered a variety of locations and had to juggle a variety of factors like cost, safety, and noise.
The problem is space. The fast-growing UMED campus is running out of it, and hospital leaders have struggled to find a location close to the Emergency Room, which will also be safe.
Ken Mathews/ Air Med Program Director: "We have to look at the existing university, see where there's a big enough spot that's safe enough, that's not by hills or tall buildings or overhead obstructions, aviation-wise to be a reasonable place to go."
Mathews says location is key because in life and death situations, every second counts.
The students say they understand that, but were not given adequate notice so they could find other housing. They're circulating a petition asking for a rent reduction.
Lis Cohen/ Uni. of Utah Graduate Student: "In no way are they saying, 'Sorry about this. We'll make your lives a little bit easier really.'"
Ken Mathews/ Air Med Program Director: "This isn't ideal for them and we realize that. Second of all, it's not ideal for us."
The hospital says they are limiting the number of administrative flights.
The noise problem for students is expected to last right through the school year. Construction won't be finished, and the choppers won't be able to move back, until June.
