Commissioners authorize moving forward with full abatement and demolition of old hospital building; roof/membrane work remains under review

The Carter County Commissioners authorized county staff to notify Great Northern Development Corporation that the county will pursue alternative 3 from the ABCA report for full abatement, demolition and site reclamation of the old hospital building.

Presenter (S5) told the commission that alternative 3 — as described in the ABCA report — includes full abatement and demolition and a finished site, and that the latest estimate as of March 5 was $558,599. Presenter said county policy and grant rules require a public meeting before using taxpayer funds and that the project would then go out to bid for abatement and demolition contractors. Committee member (S1) moved to send the email confirming the county’s intent to proceed with alternative 3; Commissioner (S4) seconded and Chair (S2) called for the vote. With no public comment the motion carried.

Separately, commissioners and staff discussed membrane and roof work on the hospital. Staff (S3) said Travelers (insurance) and the contractor Black Hills Roofing are reviewing a bid in the ~$200,000–$219,000 range for roof work; commissioners noted that interior hospital work — particularly rooms with negative‑pressure systems and an active lab — requires specialized contractors and likely a separate bid package. Commissioners asked staff to gather contractor references (including architects who previously worked on Baker Hospital) and to coordinate split bidding so roof and interior remediation can each be procured by firms with appropriate hospital experience.

Commissioners stressed that proceeding now does not obligate the county to pay until bids are received and awards made. Presenter (S5) reiterated that the public meeting is a required next step and that the county may stop the project at any point prior to contractor mobilization.

Follow up actions from the meeting include arranging the required public meeting, issuing the bid package(s), and collecting additional contractor and cost information to present at a subsequent meeting.