ROCKLEDGE, Fla. – The second phase of demolition on the shuttered Orlando Health Rockledge Hospital was announced on Wednesday, according to city officials.
Rockledge officials said that Orlando Health, the hospital’s owner, notified them that the demolition work will start on Dec. 1 and will last around five months.
The first phase began in late October for the 84-year-old facility that closed earlier this after Orlando Health discovered significant structural problems, including black mold, corroded sanitation lines, and other critical infrastructure issues.
That phase focused on the removal of parking lots and small outparcel buildings surrounding the main hospital site. December’s second phase will target the main hospital site.
[WATCH: Former site of Rockledge Hospital gets torn down]
Surrounding properties will be notified before the start of the second phase of demolition, officials said.
“There are no planned road closures at this time,” Rockledge officials said in a release.
Orlando Health closed the hospital after saying it was in such bad shape that it would be cheaper to build a whole new facility, rather than make repairs.
[VIDEO: Residents express concern as Rockledge Hospital set to close]
The closure has raised concerns about healthcare access in the region. Currently, residents must travel either 8.5 miles to Cape Canaveral or face a 21-minute drive to Melbourne for emergency care.