The City of Dallas is finally demolishing the old Tri-City Hospital, which has sat abandoned for decades.
The building has become a haven for “illegal activity” – the bane of nearby neighborhoods. Councilman Jaime Resendez announced the “ceremonial demolition” would start July 15.
“After more than two decades of abandonment and legal proceedings, the City of Dallas is moving forward with the long-anticipated demolition of the Tri-City Hospital,” Resendez said in a press release.
The building will undergo “heavy demolition” soon, according to the release. If the weather cooperates, the demolition process is expected to take approximately 8 weeks to complete.
The Tri-City Hospital, at 7525 Scyene Road in southeast Dallas, was built in 1973. It declared bankruptcy in 1999. After Medicare withdrew its support, the hospital announced in 2000 that it would be closing its doors for good, officially shutting down in 2002.
Since its closure, the hospital has gained a reputation as “haunted,” attracting YouTubers who brave its halls for views. As WFAA reported, the building is “fodder” for illegal activity like shooting and setting fires.
It has become a “nightmare” for nearby residents, according to The Dallas Morning News. Aside from attracting criminal behavior, the structure itself poses a threat. A canine officer fell four stories through an abandoned elevator shaft in 2017 while searching for suspects.
The building was considered as the site for a potential homeless shelter in 2018, according to city documents, but nothing ultimately came of it. According to KERA, the hospital was ordered into receivership in February and was finally set for demolition.
“The demolition marks a critical step in eliminating a longstanding danger and blight on the surrounding community,” Resendez said, “and will create opportunities for safe redevelopment in the area.”