Monsour Medical Center Stubbornly Stays Standing

JEANNETTE (KDKA) -- The Monsour Medical Center is just about completely leveled, but it is still causing problems for demolition crews.

It has been a stubborn job from the start.

"We knew going into this it wasn't going to be easy," said Westmoreland County Commissioner Ted Kopas.

The latest hold on operations comes after the discovery of potentially dangerous insulation.

"The demolition of the Old Monsour Medical Center has been delayed for some additional asbestos not anticipated at the time," Kopas said.

The asbestos removal is expected to take up to a month longer. The actual pulling down of the nine-story hospital required a few time-outs in an effort to figure how to knock it down.

"The building was built much stronger than anyone one anticipated or wanted," Kopas said. "It's more important to do it properly and safely."

In an effort to keep dust from blowing away, water is sprayed on the debris piles to hold the particulates down.

With the new time table, the job is expected to be done by May 1st.

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