Demolition begins Sheriff's operations center expected to be ready by year's end

Flagler County engineer Faith Alkhatib, far right, checks on the demolition progress at the former Memorial Hospital-Flagler, which is being renovated to house administrative offices for the sheriff.

BUNNELL A crew of 18 has been hustling to finish demolition work at the former Memorial Hospital-Flagler before renovation work begins to transform the building into administrative offices for the sheriff.

All that will be left are the walls and concrete slab (floors), said Faith Alkhatib, Flagler County engineer. When everything is done, it will be a new building inside and out.

The County Commission in August 2013 voted to buy the 60,000-square-foot building and 7 acres on Moody Boulevard in the heart of Bunnell for $1.23 million. Commissioner Charlie Ericksen cast the only dissenting vote.

The whole project should take about nine months to complete, Alkathib said.

County Administrator Craig Coffey wasnt quite as optimistic Thursday, but said work is expected to be completed by the end of 2015 or maybe before.

Construction manager Richard McInturff with CC Borden Construction said his crews have been putting in 40-hour weeks since the last week in December and have another two to three weeks of demolition work left. All of the asbestos was removed before the county bought the building.

We haul away four big Dumpsters full of debris every day, McInturff said as he led a visitor through the dark and dusty building. Were stripping everything down.

The main building and the former patient wings to the east are being separated into two buildings. No plans have been made as of yet for the wings.

As the demolition is completed, electricians and mechanical crews will come in to prep the building for the new construction, Alkhatib said. Temporary power was wired Thursday.

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Demolition begins Sheriff's operations center expected to be ready by year's end