The clock starts ticking on Tuesday for the demolition of the former Grace Hospital.
Will Bartels, project manager for Budget Environmental Disposal Inc., says they have 100 days to complete the project.
The Ontario government could be giving up to $7 million for the cleanup and redevelopment.
Windsor West MPP Teresa Piruzza announced a one-time grant of $3 million on Friday. Another $4 million is pending final government approval.
The city has already spent most of the $3 million. Windsor Mayor Eddie Francis says he’s not worried about the rest of the money going through.
“I have a commitment from the former finance minister that the money is allocated,” says Francis. “They will deliver.”
Budget Environmental Disposal, a Hamilton company, will demolish the old building for $4.1 million.
A cleanup crew of 30 people will work on the project, starting on Tuesday.
The piles of rubble will be the first to go. The workers also have to get all of the asbestos out of each building.
“It’s going to be lengthy,” says Bartels. “We'll start demolishing in a sequence after the asbestos has been removed.”
The building should be wiped out by the end of July.
Cleanup crews will be on site Tuesday. The piles of rubble will be the first to go. The building should be demolished by the end of July.
The property is broken up into four separate lots. The city obtained the front and rear lots in November for $2.1 million.
On Thursday, the city bought the two middle lots for $92,000. Francis says they did not want to proceed with demolition until they obtained the other lots.
“The last thing we wanted was a fragmented site,” says Francis.
The mayor wouldn't elaborate, but says they have big plans for the property.
