Harlan Kirgan
Eunice Mayor Scott Fontenot says a proposal that was to be presented at Wednesdays’ St. Landry Parish Council meeting is “as close as we’ve ever been” to acting on the demolition of the old Moosa Hospital.
The Council’s Aministrative-Finance Committee was to be presented information about the former hospital.
Council Chairman Coby Clavier said, “We feel if we can get rid of the asbestos then we can finally put it to the market and hopefully sell it.”
The condition on the sale would be the hospital would be torn down.
“This is good news,” Clavier said.
Parish President Jessie Bellard said there is enough money to start the project. The asbestos removal would use hospital district money and additional funds from the parish’s health unit.
Bellard said St. Landry Hospital District 1 Board has about $286,000 on hand.
An audit for the district on the Louisiana State Auditor ‘s website lists cash and equivalents of $88,647 and a $200,000 certificate of deposit as of May 31.
The cost associated with the asbestos removal has been cited as the reason for inaction on the building.
Last year Clavier said estimates were as high as $750,000 to demolish the building.
Bellard said regulatory changes may be the reason the cost is reduced.
In 2019, the Eunice Board of Aldermen passed a resolution asking the parish government to do something with the old hospital that has been vacant since 2005.
The building was left vacant when the Acadian Medical Center began operations in its new facility.
The resolution stated the building is a safety hazard and asked St. Landry Parish Government remove the asbestos and demolish or secure the building.
Bellard said parish government is ultimately responsible for the building.
Newton “Chip” Thibodeaux Jr., chairman of the hospital board, did not respond to call for comment.
Other board members are Lloyd Antoine, Brenda Hardy, Daniel Fontenot, Ronnie Clavier and Bennie Dupre.