By Associated Press - Tuesday, July 30, 2019

OTTUMWA, Iowa (AP) - Work has resumed to tear down a partially demolished hospital in Ottumwa.

The Ottumwa Courier reports that crews this week began work on the former St. Joseph Hospital, nearly a year after a halt in the demolition.

Des Moines-based Blackbird Investments had initially planned to convert the 94-year-old building into apartments but then opted to demolish the structure and build new housing. Demolition started in 2018 but was halted over a pay dispute that led to a lawsuit.



The dispute left the city with the eyesore of a five-story partially demolished structure behind a chain-link fence.

Fairfield-based Drish Construction is now taking over the work from the previous contractor and is scheduled to complete the demolition by fall.

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Information from: The Ottumwa Courier, http://www.ottumwacourier.com

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