Hope For Hospital Reopening

Fayette County EMS Director Josh Vandever said he and County Judge Dan Mueller met Tuesday with representatives of a health care organization interested in buying the St. Mark’s Medical Center property.

If a deal is reached, the hospital could reopen as soon as the first quarter of next year, Vandever said.

“It was a great meeting,” Vandever said.

St. Mark’s closed on October 12, 2023, after defaulting on its mortgage. The mortgage was backed by the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The original principal on the loan was $24.2 million, and about $13 million was still owed at the time the hospital closed. HUD sold the note last year for $806,000, and it was acquired by Green Jay Capital LLC. The property is now subject to property taxes since it is no longer a non-profit hospital. According to the Fayette County Appraisal District, this year’s tax bill will be $117,518.87.