By Michael V. Hannigan
The Athens Substandard Building Commission unanimously issued an order Wednesday night to have the old Henderson County Memorial Hospital demolished.
Athens Mayor Jerry Don Vaught, “I think it was a good decision. It has been needed for a long time. It has been in bad shape for years now. We’ve all known it and unfortunately it has just come to this to have it done.”
The order will be sent to the current owner of the property at 405 Lindsey Lane, Mike Newel of Black Hawk Funding. Newel will have 30 days from the time he receives the order to comply or appeal to a district judge.
If Newel fails to act, the City of Athens can then step in and demolish the Old Hospital and charge Newel for the cost. If the order is not appealed, the city can also extend the time frame for Newel to complete the demolition to 90 days.
It is likely that the building will have to undergo an inspection for traces of asbestos. Specialist firms such as C4 Demolition usually take on the task of removing asbestos should any be found, as it is very dangerous – breathing in asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
If you need help asbestos or house demolition, it’s best to speak with a licensed professional. Newel will need to move quickly to find a local company who can assist with the demolition and complete it within 90 days.
The majority of the buildings ground structure could be easily removed by hydrodemolition, which is a bonus considering it’s one of the safest and most precise demolition techniques. You can learn more about it by reading about Buxton Water’s hydrodemolition services.
The Old Hospital has been empty and abandoned for decades, but it first entered private hands in 2009 when Buel Crawford and Delbert Yelsma bought the building from the county. The two men told Commissioners’ Court at that time that they wanted to turn the old hospital into a retirement community.
That plan did not work out and neither did the next one by new owner Babit LLC, who wanted to turn the building into an assisted living facility for military veterans.
Eventually, in late 2014 Newel’s Black Hawk Funding foreclosed and eventually purchased the property at a public sale.
Newel wrote a report to the Substandard Building Commission at that time, saying, “… (W)e need time to market the property and see what the future brings. It may be that there is a buyer. We can provide attractive financing and restructure to make this happen. We may wish to rehab the property or just demolish. The market will only tell as to the most likely.
“We ask the citizens of Athens the benefit of this market knowledge before we are forced into the last alternative which we feel is going to bring the least return to our investors after this disastrous loan and foreclosure.”
The problem is the building has continued to deteriorate while owners and plans have changed.
In September 2014, the Substandard Building Commission gave Newel 90 days to repair the roof, and secure the windows and floors. But Athens Public Health and Safety Coordinator Sheila Garrett said that the roof was still only 75 percent repaired.
Wednesday, it was apparent commissioners had run out of patience.
“It has looked like a slum for a long time,” said Commissioner Billy Murphree.
I moved to Athens when I was 4yrs. old . I was a candy striper in that hospital as a young preson. I hate to see it go but understand.
So sad! My son, Justin was born there 35 years ago today! I worked there during my last year of undergraduate school, and my grandmother was a nurse there for many years. Holds many dear memories! I was so hoping that the retirement home for military vets would materialize; we so need one around here.
I’ve read all of the comments on Facebook and they make me crazy!
Yes, it’s a shame, but unavoidable, that it has to be torn down. The real shame falls squarely on the shoulders of the previous owners for not keeping it in a sustainable condition.
It was decommissioned in the mid 80’s when ETMC built the new hospital. For years it was used as storage for ETMC and it was somewhat maintained during that time. The County then took it back because it was their property. It sat untouched for quite a while.
In 2007 the County had the asbestos abated, evidently preparing to demolish it since it had not sold. The building was already in great disrepair due to vandals and thieves. Also in 2007, a man was electrocuted while trying to steal copper wiring.
In 2009 it was suddenly sold for $50K to Buel Crawford and Delbert Yelsma, one of which was a family member of County Judge David Holstein’s secretary. That seemed like a small amount for such a big piece of property that, even today, is listed on the tax rolls for over $200K. Regardless, Crawford and Yelsma (operating as Babit, LLC) had big plans to sell it to someone wanting to put in a retirement home. Commissioner Jerry West was the only person that cast a dissenting vote because he was concerned about what condition the property would sink into if the sale and plan did not come to fruition. Boy, was he correct!
Babit LLC ended up doing nothing with the property during their ownership other than failing to secure it which allowed thieves to steal most of the copper and scrap metal from the property.
In 2013, Kevin Hambrick began purchasing Babit LLC so he could take ownership and apply for government funds to make it a retirement and/or rehab center for veterans. He financed his purchase through Black Hawk Funding in Idaho. He presented plans and concepts to the zoning board and City Council. Several of the property owners in the neighborhood voiced their concerns about his plans. He made some changes to his plans and was eventually given the green light. Again, nothing happened. Hambrick evidently did not get the government funds he was applying for so the property sat, continuing to deteriorate. During that time, the substandard building commission and City Council required them to secure the structure. It was somewhat secured by boarding windows and doors, but the copper roof was also removed leaving only the roof decking. As you can imagine, this created a huge health hazard as much of the building was flooded every time it rained.
In 2014 Black Hawk Funding foreclosed, taking possession of the property. The new owners were addressed about the problems and the deficiencies at the location and were given a timeline to make corrections. They failed to complete the work which has led up to the point where it is now.
So … to all of the people that are up in arms about it being torn down … where were you? Where were you when it was for sale? Where were you, with your great ideas, when the plans were being discussed in City Council meetings about making it something useful? Where were you (and your pocketbook) when you thought it should be renovated and made into a museum or historical site? Where were you when the time to speak in favor of keeping an old, dilapidated building in a neighborhood was being debated, when many of the people who live/work in that neighborhood were begging for relief from that unsightly behemoth?
For years people have been critical of the City, saying “the City should do something about the old hospital”. Well, they have been all along … They have listened to the concerns of the neighborhood. They have tried to get multiple owners to correct the problems at the site. They have supported various owners’ plans to make it a useful facility. They have patiently waited for something to happen. It’s been over 30 years. Nothing has come to fruition; it has only gotten worse.
As unfortunate and sad as the outcome may seem, the City HAS done something. You should support their decision to improve this neighborhood by removing this albatross.
Again, your anger and disappointment should fall squarely on the shoulders of the previous owners who were given many chances to make it into something useful but did nothing other than look for a way to make a quick fortune.
I used to go there on Sunday afternoons and sing with my church, there are a lot of memories there. But I live with it right out my back yard, it attracts vagrants and mischievous teenagers. I’ll be glad to see it go now because it’s an eyesore. It would make a great place for a neighborhood park, there are a lot of people in our neighborhood that could benefit from a park for the younger kids to play.
Way past due! I have watched the disintegration of this property since 1987 when I opened a business directly across the street from it!
Wow, I thought this hospital had already been knocked down. One good thing is that my daughter was born there 39 years ago.
To whom it may concern, l understand about the hospital but my family and I have memories at this landmark like other people. My Father passed away in hospital on April 24,1978&lhad my first Son January 2,1980 lt’s hard to see it be torn down, Godbless it l will always remember all the times my family&I spent many hours days&nights sleep ing in waiting room floors not noing if my Dad was going to live from heart problems.Thanks for all the wonderful Dr.’s &nurses that worked hard in this hospital. Thanks