Photo by U. Glidewell

The former St. Clair County Hospital has sat vacant for more than six years. Issues such as asbestos and black mold have made plans for the building more difficult.

At the council meeting on Monday night the Pell City City Council approved a proposal from AMEC Foster Wheeler for the assessment of various hazardous materials on site and development of technical remediation specifications. AMEC Foster Wheeler will prepare specifications for building deconstruction, waste handling and site restoration, prepare evaluation criteria for potential contractors, including appropriate experience, licensure, insurance and bonding requirements as well as conducting the competitive bid process.

The site is jointly owned by the City of Pell City and St. Clair County, which will share in the cost of site preparation fees and demolition costs. The tasks listed in the proposal from AMEX Foster Wheeler are in a lump sum amount of $8,000, which will be split between the City of Pell City and St. Clair County. The St. Clair County Commission voted to approve their portion of the cost at their meeting on Tuesday.

“As the City and County have progressed towards the cleanup and marketing of the property the prevailing sentiment of both bodies has been that the removal of the structure should be considered a priority,” Pell City City Manager Brian Muenger stated.

Additional costs for demolition to the site, which preliminary estimates budgeted at $750,000 to demolish the old hospital building and clear the site. The City is still awaiting approval of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) Grant that was submitted last year.

The grant would require a commitment from the City of Pell City in the amount of $400,000, which includes $200,000 from St. Clair County. The additional funds needed of $150,000 would be sought with another proposed community development block program grant.The Pell City City Council also approved an option agreement with Southside Land Ventures, LLC on the old hospital property. Southside Land Ventures, LLC has a two year option on the property to market to potential retailers and purchases. The developer will fund all marketing materials for the property and the city may extend the contract for a third year if there are interested purchasers of the property.

While the main old hospital structure will be prepped for demolition and remediation of the black mold and asbestos issues, the City approved a surplus request for a 14 foot by 52 foot manufactured building on the old hospital site that was previously used for x-ray procedures. All equipment has been removed from the structure, but Muenger reassured the Council that the building remains structurally sound though it may require some maintenance. Successful bidders on the manufactured building would be required to remove the building from the premises and provide an insurance certificate prior to transport.

Bids for demolition on the property could be solicited within 60-90 days and removal of the structure is projected to be by the end of the fiscal year, Sept. 31.

By Urainah Glidewell, St. Clair News-Aegis
Original link: http://www.newsaegis.com/community/demo-and-development-plans-move-forward-on-old-hospital-property/article_0d326eba-498c-11e8-89ed-6b91cb565f6d.html