FATE OF OLD HOSPITAL STILL UP IN THE AIR

Demolition of old St. Francis Hospital remains on track for this summer despite a developer's announced intention to renovate the property.

Trent Condellone, a Springfield businessman who bought the building in March, said renovation of the property also is on track for the summer.

However, Cape Girardeau city officials said Condellone has not provided them detailed plans for the building.

"If he brings in a concrete proposal that includes financing, we will be happy to look at it," City Manager Michael Miller said.

Condellone said the city wasn't dealing with him fairly because his company is not based in the area.

"I don't know anyone in Cape Girardeau," he said. "Maybe that is my problem."

He promised litigation if the city moves to tear the building down.

"I dare the city to take enforcement action against St. Francis Hospital," Condellone said.

Said Miller: "He has the right to threaten anything he wants."

Condellone wants to convert the long-vacant structure at 801 Good Hope into housing for low-income people. He said he has investors lined up for the project, which he previously estimated would cost up to $3 million, and is seeking tax credits.

"We will proceed as if there are no problems with the city," he said.

Although his company purchased the building in March, he said it didn't obtain "100 percent clear title" until Sept. 9.

Because of increasing frustration with the city, he said he is looking to sell the property, but that won't affect renovation plans.

"We will go forward with doing that," Condellone said. "If for whatever reason we cannot sell, I, or an entity controlled by me, will be involved with the project until the end."

Miller said the city prefers to see the building return to functional use, but without a detailed proposal including financing it will come down.

"So far Mr. Condellone has talked about what he wants to do but hasn't done anything," Miller said.

For most of the decade there has been significant talk about either renovating or demolishing the building. The latter option was long deemed too expensive. However, the City Council set aside $500,000 in the current budget year for the cost of demolishing the building.

Since the budget went into effect July 1, the council's intention was that within a year the matter would be resolved one way or the other.

"What we are doing now is keeping everything on track to bring it down," Miller said. "Mr. Condellone has known since he bought the building that that was the case."

Councilman Melvin Gateley said residents in the area want something done with the building, which many consider a dangerous eyesore and a center for criminal activity.

Saving it would be preferable, but removing it may be necessary, he said.

"It's unfortunate the old place got like it is, but we need to bring some new life to the area," Gateley said.

Barring a plan acceptable to the city, housing officer Steve Williams said contracts for the demolition project will be bid in the spring and signed by June 30.

St. Francis Hospital was built in 1914 at a cost of $100,000. It operated until 1976, when it was replaced by the new St. Francis Medical Center. Southeast Missouri State University then purchased the building, which was used as student housing until 1985.

Ownership of the property has changed hands a number of times since, but nothing has been done with the building.