Approved this past winter, early demolition work is now underway at Newman Regional Health’s Cora Miller Hall.
Work has started on removing windows and asbestos from inside the building that was erected in 1972. A timetable for full demolition has not been released because it is awaiting the end of the current work.
Cora Miller has served Newman Regional Health and/or Emporia State University, mostly as the training building for ESU’s nursing department and more recently as office space for Hand In Hand Hospice. Newman Regional Health’s Board of Trustees voted in February to raze the building after several years of discussions about its future, ultimately choosing demolition due to ongoing maintenance and upkeep costs. The decision also followed Emporia State’s decision to bring nursing students to campus with construction of the Nursing + Student Wellness Center, which opened to students this past January.
The building has honored Miller, the first superintendent of then-Newman Memorial County Hospital when it started operations in 1922.
Plans continue for special recognition ceremonies at some time in September. This will give former employees, nurses and students chances to share stories and memories while NRH collects artifacts and other historical items as it continues to document both the building’s impact and Miller’s legacy.
