At the end of a community meeting on Tuesday, Mid-City residents applauded after learning the demolition specifics to give the abandoned Lindy Boggs hospital not a fresh face, but to construct a whole new structure in its place.
“It’s got to go,” said Kimball Schlafly, a Mid-City resident. “This is self-contained, so I really, I don’t think it’ll be bad. If they can keep the dust down, keep the noise down, I think it’ll go smoothly.”
The plan is to convert the former hospital’s basement into a 4 million-gallon stormwater retention facility, which might possibly bring housing and retail to other stories of the property.
While residents are happy the idle, graffiti-ridden building is getting torn down, concerns remain.
Particularly, how the construction will impact the businesses nearby.
“The summer is generally slow for a lot of restaurants in the city. So, they are starting this demolition project now, so it could be a double whammy,” said Glenn Mahiya, co-owner of Chada on Bienville. “We’re going to try to do our best to encourage people to come and see us. You know, hopefully we can still provide a nice atmosphere.”
The project, approved with a lease agreement between the City and Mercy Partners, LLC. is expected to take eight months, structured by seven phases.
The following phases are as follows:
Phase one:
- Tree protection and Entergy site preparation
Phase two:
- Power plant demolition, first and second story building minor abatement (asbestos removal) and main building abatement
Phase three:
- First and second-story building demolition
Phase four:
- Basement abatement
Phase five:
- Start of the main building demolition
Phase six:
- To the end of demolition
Phase seven:
- End of demolition and cleanup
The first phase is expected to begin on July 13.
READ MORE:Residents inquire about Lindy Boggs Medical Center demolishment details
