Cora Miller Hall has served Newman Regional Health, Emporia State University and the community in some capacity for over 50 years — but hospital leadership say the time has come to demolish the building.
On Wednesday, Board of Trustees members voted to give Chief Executive Officer Cathy Pimple the authority to move forward towards demolition, as well as asbestos abatement. Pimple tells KVOE News repurposing or removal has been a discussion point for several years.
Ultimately, the board moved towards removal due to ongoing maintenance and upkeep.
Asbestos abatement will take place first before full demolition.
Miller served as the first superintendent for the hospital, known at its opening in 1922 as Newman Memorial County Hospital. Cora Miller Hall was built in 1972, according to Lyon County records, and had served as Emporia State University’s nursing training center for decades before ESU built the Nursing + Student Wellness Center that opened to students last month.
Hospital administrators will begin communications with different stakeholders as the process moves forward. The hospital, meanwhile, will begin a “thoughtful process” with Emporia State University connections and others across the community to honor the building’s history and legacy.
The building is important to Pimple. She started her career at Newman Regional Health as a nurse’s aide and registered nurse after graduating from Emporia State.
Pimple also tells KVOE News the hospital plans to keep Miller’s name and legacy alive, although plans for that aspect of this project are currently pending.
For the asbestos remediation and eventual demolition, Pimple expects a roughly six-month process. The building location will become green space later this year.
Click here for KVOE News’ original coverage from Wednesday’s board meeting.
