Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Hospital building facing demolition

Members of the Nevada County Quorum Court are being asked to consider deeding the old hospital property to the City of Prescott.

The issue was among the topics of discussion during the quorum courts July 9 meeting.

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor told justices of the peace that there are places that contain asbestos, lead-based paints and mercury in the building. Taylor said the city solicited bids for the demolition and said the two bids came in at just more than $64,000 and just more than $65,000. Taylor cited interest in the property but said nothing can be done until the property is cleared.

If we deed it to the city, what happens? asked JP Mike Otwell.

Well take care of all this, Taylor said.

JP Arval Mason said the county has already taken that action. He said the justices voted to deed the property to the city.

In an interview Monday, Taylor said the council had a reason for that action.

I believe the county wanted the city to pay for it, Taylor said, adding that he didnt recall the exact amount.

And the city met and turned it down, Mason said.

I say lets do the paperwork and do it again, said Otwell.

Do we have the assurance of the city council that youll accept it? asked JP Willie Wilson.

Taylor didnt directly answer the question then, but in a later interview said the city will accept the designation.

Wilson then addressed a question to members of the quorum court.

Do we feel confident as a body to deed this to the city without any legal advice?

Nevada County Judge Baker Butler said he had talked to Nevada County Attorney Dana Stone, and that Stone was looking into the subject.

There are too many questions and not enough facts, said JP Herbert Coleman.

The property includes the old hospital building and the smaller building that was once housed the health department offices. That building was discussed by the Prescott Police Department several months ago when PPD Chief of Police Brian Russell asked the quorum court for permission to use the building as a police station. Last week, Taylor said the property could only be used for health-related business. In an interview Monday, Taylor said that had been part of the original agreement when the Gene Hale family donated the property. Taylor said he believes that could be changed, but said theres no need to make a change for the current industrial prospect.

The city is collecting a tax commonly called the hospital tax, though Taylor said it was never intended to be used solely for the hospital.

It was actually for economic development and municipal needs, Taylor said.

He said the council approved approximately $200,000 to the hospital annually in an effort to help keep the facility open. After the hospital closed, the entire amount went into the citys coffers.