History of the Site

The St. Joseph's Hospital shut down in the mid-1990s. The building served different purposes over the years before it eventually closed and fell into disrepair. In 2019, an illegal demolition of the site was performed, leaving behind demolition debris co-mingled with asbestos and trace amounts of other pollutants.

Assessment of the former St. Joseph's Hospital site was completed in 2023, utilizing $195,750 in grant funding from the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) and up to $65,250 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) matching funds. This assessment produced a Remedial Action Plan outlining the priority and methods for future cleanup activities.

In 2024, the Lorain County Land Bank was awarded a $6,490,690 ODOD Brownfield Remediation grant to fund full site cleanup, estimated at $8,654,272. The City of Lorain is serving as the grant subrecipient and will complete the work. In June 2026, the property was transferred from private ownership to the Lorain County Land Bank, opening the door for the City of Lorain to begin brownfield cleanup activities.

What Cleanup Work Is Planned at the St. Joseph's Hospital Site?

The Remedial Action Plan identified the following cleanup activities:

Demolition Debris Removal
The site contains a large amount of construction and demolition debris, including material used to fill former basement areas. This debris will be removed and properly disposed of.
Asbestos Abatement
Asbestos-containing material has been identified in portions of the rubble piles and one former basement area. A licensed asbestos abatement inspector will be on-site to oversee its safe removal and disposal.
Demolition of Onsite Structures
All structures onsite, including the parking garage, will be demolished.
Liquid Waste Disposal
Residual liquids found on the property will be collected and disposed of in accordance with applicable regulations.
Soil Monitoring
Ongoing soil monitoring will be conducted to confirm the site meets all applicable standards.

The City anticipates work will begin with the removal of asbestos containing material onsite, and will be followed by full site clearance and structure demolition. Thank you to the Lorain County Land Bank, the Ohio Department of Development, and all who worked as our partners to help make this possible.