The work is being done on the inside of the building at this point.

By Mary Alice Murphy

Although little to no progress is visible from the outside, contractors continue to pull plumbing, conduit, electrical wiring and ceiling tiles from the inside of the building, according to Commissioner Brett Kasten.

"They are turning it into a concrete shell," Kasten told the Beat. "Then, to best of my knowledge, the next step will be abatement."

Brent Flenniken, consultant for the state on the demolition of the old Fort Bayard Medical Center hospital, at a recent meeting about the future of Fort Bayard, hosted by Santa Clara, predicted the demolition of the structure would begin after lead paint and asbestos abatement, and likely not until after the first of 2016.

 At that meeting held Oct. 5, Flenniken said Tatsch Construction had been contracted to clean out the inside of the building, because of its knowledge of historical architecture. The state wants historical documentation and an architectural survey, with old plans to be recorded.