
EDWARDSVILLE — Madison County is poised to take a major step in relocating operations out of the former Wood River Township Hospital, with the County Board expected to vote Wednesday on the purchase of three downtown Wood River buildings as part of a plan that officials say would cost less than rehabbing the old hospital site.
The board is expected to approve the purchase of 34 W. Ferguson Ave., 22 W. Ferguson Ave., and 203 S. Sixth St. for about $750,000. Renovating those buildings is expected to cost about $12 million.
The purchase and renovation of the three buildings, and possibly one more property now being negotiated, will cost almost $17 million, according to the provided information. That is still less than the estimated cost of rehabbing the former hospital, known as the Wood River Facility.
The demolition of the former hospital is expected to cost between $7 million and $10 million.
After years of talk, debate and study, the proposal has advanced through the board’s committee process. The County Board’s Central Services and Finance committees approved the purchases this week.
The next Madison County Board meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday, June 17, in the County Board Room of the Administration Building.