FRANKFORT, Ind. (WLFI) - Brick by brick and bit by bit, the old IU Health Frankfort Hospital is being torn down.
"It's been really a milestone that we've been looking forward to for quite some time," said Kelly Braverman, President of IU Health Frankfort.
The old hospital building has proudly served the Clinton County community. The original building was built in 1923 and was replaced in 1951. Several additions were added on over the years as well.
"I think depending on the person you talk to there are some really wonderful memories in there," said Braverman "So there is a little pause of thinking about the history and what it's been able to do for the community."
As we previously reported, construction on the new hospital wrapped up last fall and they were able to open their doors in November.
Braverman said the last four months have been great. The main priority of the new hospital was to create flow that made sense and would take the fewest amount of steps possible. She said their design has proved to be a success, especially since a big part of COVID mitigation is the flow of people and staying socially distant.
"Now seeing what we have available to us, everything being modern, state of the art, I think the community has been really pleased with the care we've been able to provide in the new building," she said.
Braverman said that weather permitting, the goal will be to have the old hospital completely demolished and cleared away by April 12th. Then work can begin on installing waterlines, storm drains and electrical work for the parking lot. Along with laying the asphalt and sidewalks.
They hope to be able to start the parking lot landscape, visitor garden and the helipad in June.
Encompass Credit Union is donating the materials for the visitor garden, and NHK is donating materials for the walkway up to the front entrance of the new hospital. Photo below is a rendering of the visitor garden.
