What will they do with the old Pinckneyville hospital building?

Structural issues, asbestos, the growing cost of utilities and no way to reconfigure the building for modern healthcare were the reasons the hospital board launched its visionary plan years ago to build a new community medical center east of the Pinckneyville.

Those same issues will probably result in the demolition of the old hospital building, in time. How long before that happens? First things, first. Not even administrator Tom Hudgins knows for sure.

He said construction of the new hospital is 95 percent complete and the building should largely be ready for occupancy by May 12. Equipment moves will be ongoing. After two weeks of walk-throughs and punch lists, the Illinois Department of Health will have four weeks to certify the new hospital or to suggest the handful of small modifications.

"If someone is interested in the old hospital, we will listen," said Hudgins. He said because of the location, the property is teeming with ideas for development.

After family medical services are moved to the new hospital the old nearby family medical center will be used for many of the hospital's business functions. Hudgins said there is some interest in that property, once all functions are moved to the new hospital. The hospital's fitness center and senior life center will remain on the square in Pinckneyville.