NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Some of the equipment is on site for the demolition of the old St. Elizabeth Hospital at 500 West 20th.
"We're starting demolition this week," said Clint Nelson with Interfaith Housing. "We still have some startup pieces that we need to need to tend to when you get security fence up and kind of get everything staged for the big project, but our contractor believes that by the end of this week, they made it start taking down the actual structure and the project itself is estimated to be six weeks start to finish."
The intent is for that to be a developable lot once the demo work is done.
"The finish on this contract is a full backfill and compaction, grading and overseeding," Nelson said. "Until we get to the point of starting a new development on that site, it will be just open green space."
The long-term goal is more affordable housing in that area.
"Our intent is to redevelop that site with home buyer units," Nelson said. "Kind of middle income, mid range home buyer units. We're going to take our time to make sure we're selecting a design and a build that's appropriate for that neighborhood. We would hope by mid 2025, that we'll have all the pieces in place and have our funding commitments in place and be able to start rebuilding on that site."
The goal is to allow two-income families to be able to afford to buy in the new development. Interfaith will also seek grant funding to help with that, as well.