Demolition of former Baptist Towers to begin this week; city emphasizes stormwater and dust controls

Acting city official opened a briefing on the former Baptist hospital campus and said demolition of the north-side connector and towers will begin within the week, with debris hauled to regulated landfills. He invited Josh Jacobs, the owner’s representative, to summarize the contractor’s plans and safeguards.

"Permits are approved within the building department," Jacobs told the council, adding that a stormwater pollution-prevention plan (SWPPP) "is going into place right now" and that "no demolition can start before that is signed off by the city." Jacobs said phase two (abatement) is about 80% complete and that phase three (demolition) will begin once the SWPPP is signed; he gave a best-case finish of December and said the work could push into January 2027 in a worst-case scenario. Civil restoration work would follow, beginning in January and slated for completion by June 2027.

Jacobs described the demolition method as a controlled, floor-by-floor process using long-reach excavators rather than a wrecking ball. He said that approach reduces dust and allows crews to manage debris removal bay-by-bay. "Dust suppression measures" and daily monitoring will be in place, Jacobs said, to "make sure again the dust does not leave the site." Equipment already staged on-site will be used to take down the first tower.

Council members asked about stormwater risks if heavy rain occurs during demolition. Jacobs said the first priority is protecting stormwater inlets and the city-mandated inspection regime: a perimeter and inlet protection ("filter socks") will be installed around the site, and the city requires a 24-hour inspection after rain events in addition to weekly inspections to confirm controls are functioning.

The city will maintain documentation of inspections and permits to respond to any public records requests. Jacobs and staff emphasized that regulatory protocols are in place before work begins and said they will monitor air and water safeguards daily.

The demolition update closed with the city thanking the contractor and reminding residents that construction activity and large equipment will be visible on site as work progresses.