BANGS — Years of exposure to the weather and interior structural abuse have led to the deterioration of a historic Knox County landmark. The former Knox County Infirmary, which operated from 1877 until 1953, was later the site of Mount Vernon Bible College, which closed its doors in 1988.
Sitting empty now for 24 years, ownership of the building has twice changed hands. Current owner is Mike Symanski, who purchased the property along with Chapel Hill Golf Course.
“Right now it’s in a condemned situation. It’s literally imploding on itself,” said Symanski. “To bring it back to health, you’re talking millions of dollars.”
Central Ohio Joint Fire District Chief Joe Porter and the Knox County Sheriff’s Office had installed an orange snow fence around the building and posted “no trespassing” signs in early December 2011 when portions of the brick exterior began crumbling and falling to the ground. After the collapse of that portion on the front of the building, a larger portion has collapsed in the rear of the building, prompting the Ohio Bureau of Building Code Compliance to condemn the building.
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