The hospital may need parking, but they certainly do not need it in the configuration of a full-block parking ramp on a prime downtown site. They can store their ambulances anywhere. The site bounded by Chicago, 9th Ave, and 8th Street would be far better suited for this type of proposal, to the extent that it truly is needed.As much as I would like to see something more active than a parking ramp, I don't really see many alternatives for this site.
As much as we want less parking downtown, the hospital needs parking, they need a place to store their ambulances, and a skyway connection to the burn victims housing is very important.
But the hospital should really be encouraged to think more creatively overall. Can they put some parking underground and let a developer build housing on top? Can they wrap a parking lot with housing? Can they better-incentivize their employees to walk, bike, or take transit to work? Proposals like this are not just bad, they are lazy.
Oh, and the great thing about helicopters is that they are extremely maneuverable. It's absolutely not the case that this site would be height restricted because of helicopter concerns. To think of three examples that I know well, here's a helicopter pad for a Center City, Philadelphia hospital, here's a helicopter pad for a Center City, Philadelphia hospital that closed recently (for financial reasons) and here's another one in University City, Philadelphia, all on all buildings with even taller buildings nearby. The city does not need to be held hostage by a hospital's helicopter access.Also the old helicopter pad is still occasionally used so the ramp really cannot be any taller. I would also think fumes from the helicopters would make housing less desirable for this location.