For way too many years we’ve seen and heard of the Old Mercy Hospital and marketing plans and pleas by the owner and outside groups, and continuous interchanges by ownership to strap the eyesore onto the backs of the taxpayers.
We have seen heaps of push back. We have seen legal opinions and penalties not paid by the property owner while citizens and individuals are paying for their assessments.
More and again, we hear argumentative blitzes for a building that served this community well in its day.
Ten years ago there was an estimation of $2-5 million for asbestos remediation, a necessary cost that has since conceivably doubled.
Bottom line, we have heard of failure upon failure of promises with no end.
The building is not the City’s problem. This is private enterprise all the way, and the City has passed the day of ‘partnering’ with a private, hopeless piece of property.
This building should no longer be part of Laredo’s skyline.
Condemnation, implosion, leaving the area in the ownership of the City for proper planning and improvement – this the only answer to the future of this eyesore.
This city has very serious water issues which have been discussed for 50 or more years, and here we are today and still nothing… but we have a Mayor and a City Council giving itself raises.
The City does not need another building.
The City doesn’t need any more parks.
The City needs to cut annual expenses by 10%.
The City needs to freeze spending.
The City needs to freeze hiring.
The City needs to focus on alternative water sources and follow through with a plan in unison with Webb County. This, in my opinion, is paramount.
If you or anyone reading this agrees, it would be time for your opinion reflecting that.
Respectfully submitted,
Glen S. Jackson
