Lorain takes legislative step toward final demolition of St. Joseph Hospital site

After a decade, the completion of the demolition of the former St. Joseph Hospital in Lorain appears to be at hand. Lorain City Council voted 10-0 at its meeting Monday to approve legislation that will allow the city to enter into a contract that will lead to the demolition of all remaining structures on the property at the corner of West 21st Street and Broadway. Council member Mitchell Fallis, D-at Large, was absent. The legislation was up for its first reading, but Council also voted 10-0 to suspend the rule requiring three readings and approved of the ordinance, effective immediately. The passage of the legislation will now authorize Safety/Service Director Rey Carrion to enter into a contract with the best and lowest bidder to complete the demolition work. "For ten years, we've been trying to get this addressed," said Council member Mary Springowski, D-at Large. "I will be glad to see this finally addressed and the parking garage, which has also been an area of grave concern." Council President Joel Arredondo commended the continued efforts of Mayor Jack Bradley's administration, as well as that of Council members. "Hopefully, we'll have the job done before the end of next year," Arredondo said. The ordinance, which allows the city to enter into a contract for the demolition and preparation of the site for a total not to exceed $4,150,696, comes after Lorain entered into a subrecipient agreement with the Lorain County Land Reutilization Corporation. According to a copy of the agreement — listed as A25-07 — no direct expenditures will be required from the city and will be paid for through the grant award. Monday's action to open the bid process follows years of efforts by city and county officials to clean up and remediate the former St. Joseph Hospital site. Earlier in June, city officials celebrated the transfer of the property's deed to the Lorain County Land Bank — a move that they had been waiting years for and one that allowed them access. Soon after, crews could be seen on site conducting remediation efforts. "It's getting cleaned up. I know it's been a long time coming," Mayor Jack Bradley said in a video posted to social media in early August. "But we're on our way, and eventually, this property is going to be developed." Contact Garrett Looker at glooker@chroniclet.com.