Kent CountyTuesday, October 27
Asbestos adds about $1.6 million and months to the Kent Community Hospital demolition
The Good Day Grand Rapids team
Asbestos is making the old Kent Community Hospital more expensive and slower to tear down. Crain's Grand Rapids Business reports the demolition budget went from $2.8 million to about $4.4 million, and WOOD says the finish moved from August to March. WOOD puts the extra cost at about $1.5 million. Facilities director Tim Bradshaw said crews "found significantly more asbestos" than the initial bid covered.
The hospital demolition budget grew to about $4.4 million
Source: Crain's Grand Rapids Business
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Original budget | $2.8 million |
| Updated budget | $4.4 million |
Structural demolition began Oct. 19 at the county's Fuller Campus. The 1970s section is next, probably starting in mid-to-late November, with the 1920s portion last. Network180, the county's community mental health agency, still operates in a building connected to the hospital, so crews have to pull the buildings apart carefully.
Demolition is now expected to finish in March
- Jan. 2026Internal abatement and demolition of the hospital begins.
- Oct. 19The structural demolition phase begins.
- Mid-Nov.Crews are expected to start on the 1970s portion.
- March 2027Demolition is now expected to finish, instead of August.
- Late 2028The goal is for county staff to move into the new building.
Sources: Crain's Grand Rapids Business, WOODTV.com
- New building: $116 million to $126 million, about 125,000 square feet
- County board could consider a bond at its second November meeting
- Also approved Oct. 22: $18.5 million purchase of 300 Ottawa Ave. NW
- About 187 employees will work in the new building
Sources: Crain's Grand Rapids Business, WOODTV.com