HCNotes: City now owns old hospital

The old Henderson County Hospital.
The old Henderson County Hospital.

The old Henderson County Memorial Hospital has a new owner … the City of Athens.

I reported last month that the property was being transferred from the previous owner to the City and during the Athens City Council meeting Monday night City Administrator Philip Rodriguez said that process was completed last week.

From a practical standpoint, this means the City can move forward with plans to demolish the building. Just don’t expect to see bulldozers out there immediately. As you know, everything is a process when it comes to government and City staff wants to make sure they are crossing all t’s and dotting their i’s.

I have been told the old hospital should be gone by the end of the year. In the meantime, City workers have cleaned up the grounds, cut the grass and secured the doors.

Once everything is done, the City will have to find a use for the new property. Any ideas?

— Michael V. Hannigan