Earl K Long Hospital Demolition Likely Will Be Costly

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Demolition of the abandoned LSU Earl K. Long Medical Center in north Baton Rouge could cost more than anticipated because of asbestos and other environmental concerns.

Mark Moses, the director of state Facility Planning and Control, the state construction program contains $1 million for hospital demolition, but it is uncertain whether that will be enough.

State Senator Sharon Broome got the $1 million inserted in the state's construction budget for hospital demolition as well as legislation passed under which the property would be transferred to the East Baton Rouge Parish Housing Authority as part of a redevelopment effort.

Broome says she is confident that additional funds can be made available if project costs rise.