Jeannette District Memorial Hospital demolition work complete

An empty, grass-covered lot has replaced a once-bustling hospital in Jeannette.

City officials said they are encouraged now that the site where Jeannette District Memorial Hospital once stood is ready for redevelopment.

“We're excited about that possibly expanding the tax base there,” said city manager Mike Nestico.

Excela Health officials announced this week that the $2.7 million demolition of the old hospital and rehabilitation of the Jefferson Avenue site was completed last month. Spokeswoman Robin Jennings said a “variety of interested individuals” have been in contact with Excela about possible reuse of the property, but “nothing concrete” has been decided.

“We are very pleased, because it was a perfect project, and we are very happy that we were able to do it in a safe manner,” Jennings said.

Demolition work began in the fall at the former hospital, which closed in 2011. The building was dismantled piece by piece so neighbors wouldn't be disturbed.

“A lot of the residents there were very satisfied with the way the work was done,” Nestico said.

Excela will continue to use a medical office building neighboring the now-vacant lot.

“While there is nothing concrete at this time, we believe Excela's site preparation and goodwill efforts will produce the desired results,” Mayor Richard Jacobelli said in a statement..

Excela bought Jeannette Memorial District Hospital in 2007 for $14 million from Pittsburgh Mercy Health System. Hospital officials tried to market the site for several years but found no buyers.

The hospital was opened in 1959 by the Sisters of Charity.

“Restoring the property to a pleasing state for prospective developers demonstrates our commitment to the residents of Jeannette to maintain an active role in community revitalization,” Ron Ott, Excela Health senior vice president for community and government relations, said in the news release. “We believe the land and the location hold great appeal and will one day provide community benefit, just as the hospital did for so many years.”

Excela Health officials have had regular meetings with city officials.

“Excela really did step up here,” said city solicitor Scott Avolio. “Demolition in a city like Jeannette is a reinvestment.”

A demolition project at the second former hospital in the city is on the cusp of starting.

County officials are seeking proposals to demolish the former Monsour Medical Center, which was purchased by the land bank at a free-and-clear judicial tax sale last year for $15,712. Demolition of the dilapidated cylindrical structure could be completed by March.

A third abandoned complex — the former Jeannette Glass — appears to be near the conclusion of three decades of legal entanglements with its owner. The county's industrial development corporation bought the site for $305,000 at a 2012 tax sale with plans to redevelop it. However, the site's owner has repeatedly challenged the legality of the sale in the years since, taking the case to Commonwealth Court, where the sale was upheld.

“We're on the verge of quite a few big things here that are going to lead to opportunities to expand our tax base and bring business in,” Nestico said. “We're kind of getting rid of issues and improving at the same time.”

Renatta Signorini is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-837-5374 or rsignorini@tribweb.com.