Owner’s rep details phased demolition, asbestos controls at former Baptist Hospital

Joshua Wallace, the owner’s‑representative from Jacobs Group, told the Pensacola Community Redevelopment Agency that demolition and asbestos abatement at the former Baptist Hospital site is proceeding in phases and that safeguards are in place to protect workers and nearby residents.

Wallace said the contractor team includes Northstar as general contractor, Enertec/PSI providing laboratory testing and air monitoring, and Jacobs on site as the owner’s representative overseeing compliance. He described a phased schedule: mobilization and initial abatement began in December–January, site preparation and broader abatement are underway (phase 2), and active demolition is estimated to begin in March with a target for site cleanup and restoration around January 2027.

The presentation emphasized asbestos risk management. Wallace said roughly 97% of asbestos‑containing material (ACM) on the site is non‑friable, which can be managed safely if containment procedures are followed; about 3% is friable and is concentrated in the main hospital building. The contractor uses sealed containment zones (decontamination and bag‑out areas), negative‑air machines with HEPA filtration, daily monitoring of multiple points (decontamination entrance, bag‑out, containment and exhaust), and double‑bagging and manifesting of removed ACM prior to transport to regulated landfills.

Wallace reported that air sampling since the official start date of Jan. 12 has shown levels below regulatory action thresholds so far, and that all necessary permits for asbestos work and related closures (elevators, stormwater controls) are in hand or will be obtained before specific activities begin. He said personnel who enter containment areas must be certified and undergo daily round‑robin testing.

On logistics, Wallace said work hours are Monday–Friday starting at 7 a.m. with Saturdays reserved for make‑up work and no Sunday operations; he estimated about 60 Northstar staff on site during abatement and higher staffing during demolition. He described a hauling plan that limits residential neighborhood exposure: asbestos‑containing materials will go to regulated landfills (the presentation named the intended landfill destinations), each load will carry a signed manifest (contractor, Jacobs, driver, and landfill signatures) and the team will post notices by postcard and on a project website for real‑time updates.

Wallace also described community engagement steps: a project website with 3D/4D visuals and schedule, a public forum at the Fricker Center on March 5, and monthly sidewalk talks for early‑morning Q&A. He said staff are coordinating with nonprofits (United Way, Habitat for Humanity) to salvage furniture and usable medical equipment, rather than leaving the public to enter the site.

Board members asked for the hauling/ingress‑egress route maps to share with neighborhood residents; Wallace agreed to provide detailed hauling routes. The board also asked about a nearby osprey nest; Wallace said monthly drone monitoring has shown no recent activity and he would contact the wildlife sanctuary for confirmation.

The project team emphasized containment and monitoring procedures, public notification steps, and documentation of manifested disposal as core controls to keep material and activity on site. The CRA said it will continue to request transparency and regular updates as the project moves into active demolition.