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New owner says environmental remediation under way at former hospital; demolition to follow
Summary
Trademark Homes, recent owner of the former Harford Memorial hospital, told the council remediation is underway and demolition will start after air‑monitoring clears work areas — contractor estimates about six weeks of remediation before demolition. A resident additionally raised concerns that the hospital smokestack may contain asbestos.
Clark Turner told the Havre de Grace City Council on May 4 that Trademark Homes recently acquired the former hospital (about five-and-a-half days prior) and is completing environmental remediation in advance of demolition.
Turner, speaking during citizens' comments, said remediation work is occurring behind sealed plastic curtains, that third‑party air monitoring is being used before any sealed areas are opened, and that contractors with experience on major projects have been engaged. "We're in there getting the environmental remediation done," Turner said, and he estimated "probably about a month and a half of the environmental, then we'll start in the demolition." He also said the site has been fenced and secured for safety during work.
Herbert Trusslow later spoke during public comment raising a separate demolition concern: he said he had been told by former employees that the hospital's smokestack contains asbestos and asked that the demolition crew take care when handling the chimney and related structures. The transcript records his urging to "be careful with that" and to ensure asbestos mitigation is properly handled during demolition.
City officials did not dispute the timeline Turner provided and thanked him for the update; staff reiterated that remediation and asbestos removal are being handled under contract and that air quality monitoring and containment procedures are in place. No regulatory enforcement action or schedule change was announced at the meeting; Turner said a community update meeting will be held next Thursday at 5:00 p.m. at the Vandiver Inn to present progress to the public.
Council did not vote on any demolition-related matters during the meeting.
