Public meeting for opinions on razing St. Elizabeth’s Hospital building set for April 9

HANNIBAL, Mo. — A public meeting from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9 in the City Council chambers at Hannibal City Hall will be an opportunity to gather information on public opinion about the future of the former St. Elizabeth’s Hospital building.

Vacant since 2009, the building is plagued with vandalism. Its condition continues to deteriorate. The three-story building opened in 1915 and expanded through additions. When Levering Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital merged, Hannibal Regional Health Care System used the building until the new facility was built on Hannibal’s western edge in 1993. 

The Hannibal City Council discussed moving forward with tearing the building down at its last meeting on March 20. Hannibal Mayor Barry Louderman estimated the cost to tear the building down would be about $4 million or $5 million.

Louderman believes the cost to develop the property would be between $20 million to $25 million.

The City Council seeks Hannibal residents’ views on moving forward with demolition now that several development projects have never reached fruition.