SUNLAND NEWS Updated Every So Often

The Sun is now setting on Sunland...

9/5/2006 - Asbestos abatement has been completed. All the plastic has been removed from the windows, of which the glass panes have also been removed. All the flourescent lighting and hydraulics on the doors have been removed as well. The floors have been swept and cleared of debris and the building actually looks rather nice inside now that it's been cleared out. However, it's little more than a shell now that can be seen through in places. I have taken some exterior and interior pictures, though I still need to get the interior ones developed. I hope they turned out. I will link to a few choice exterior pictures now: No more windows See through building No more trees in back They have dug up the field across the street where the garage once was. I don't know why yet. I will continue to update as more info and activity occurs at the site. If you want to visit Sunland, do it soon. I have doubts the building will last through September. 5/17/2006 - Aztec Environmental in Panama City has been charged with the Asbestos Abatement and Lead Paint removal from Sunland. They may also be handling the demolition as well. Trucks, dumpsters and equipment has been positioned outside the building and 2 ft. black tarp surrounds the backside of the building. The remains of a parking lot for a building across the street that was demolished during Blair Stones extension has been dug up and piles of it placed next to Sunland on the west side for reasons yet unknown. Bales of hay and discarded asbestos suits now lay in the main reception area, but as of this writing I have seen no evidence that any work has begun on actual removal as of yet. I will keep an active stream of reports as developments continue. The garage across the street is now a flat field of dirt, as well. 03/15/2006 - It was reported recently that Sunland was puchased by a Winter Park business man. This time the story is true. Demolishion of the main Sunland Building is said to be completed by the end of 2006 as it currently stands as a "liability." They have already started by demolishing the smaller garage across the street (click the links below for images). No word yet on exactly when work will begin to remove the main hospital building, but if you want to visit Sunland, I suggest you do it soon. My offer for tours still stands. Just check the "Tours" section of this site. The Garage hours before destruction. The Garage during destruction. Small part of what was left up close, door and windows. There is now even less. All that remains is powdered rubble as of this writing. Soon that too will be gone. 03/19/04 - As reported in the Tallahassee Democrat (www.tdo.com) earlier this month, the Division of State Lands has finally found a buyer for the 26.11 acres of Sunland Property, which of course, includes the Sunland Building. James A. Dwyer, a businessman from Fort Myers has placed a bid of 4.5 Million for the entire property. His bid has been approved by the Florida Cabinet and is currently in the process of working through the red tape. It is estimated that the land will be officially his in late April if all goes well and he maintains his desire to buy the land. Dwyer has said that he has no current plans for the property. It is estimated that the cost of demolishing Sunland will itself cost another 3 Million Dollars, but with no current plans for the property, the Building will most likely remain for some time yet. Of course, that could change at any time after Sunland becomes a Private Property. This also means the legal ramifications of entering Sunland could be altered as well. Time will tell. We'll keep you posted. 03/18/04 - "Welcome to Sunland Mental Hospital" Site Opening.

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