Resident presses Evanston council for transparency on state hospital site and demolition plans

Several residents used the Feb. 18 public-comment period to press the Evanston City Council for clearer information about the state-owned hospital property in town and whether demolition of structures on the site is imminent.

"I am feeling like I'm getting the run around about the hospital site from a lot of people, and I feel like things are going ahead, and there is not any transparency," resident Marika Rossi said, asking whether the city had information about demolition plans and how debris would be handled.

The mayor and other council members responded that the property is owned and managed by the State of Wyoming and that many decisions, including demolition timing and funding, are controlled by the state. The mayor said the county landfill comprises a full section (640 acres) and that whether demolition contractors send debris there would be up to the contractors. One council member reminded the audience that the legislature previously allocated funds and later enacted a pause on demolition; the speaker said that pause appeared to be ending and that demolition had been planned in phases.

A person who identified experience working at the county landfill said they had not heard plans to send material from the hospital site to the landfill, and another speaker said they were researching renovation and demolition costs and hoped to report additional information at the next meeting. Multiple residents expressed frustration at difficulties getting clear responses from state representatives and urged the council to continue seeking inclusion in state discussions.

No formal council action was taken on the hospital site during the meeting; council members said they have participated in past discussions with the state and expected to be included in future conversations but emphasized that the state's authority over the property limits the city's decision-making.