By Mary Alice Murphy

According to New Mexico General Services Department spokesman, Estevan Lujan, the interior of the old Fort Bayard Hospital has been totally gutted, exposing the asbestos "that has been covered up over the years." He said all the wood, carpeting and other flooring has been removed from the building.

A professional contractor is remediating the asbestos that was found in the hospital. Lujan did not have the name of the contractor, but was one approved by the state contracting process.

Removal of asbestos from the A wing and the B wing has been completed and is ongoing in the C wing. "The removal of the asbestos is a delicate process, so we have to make sure it is done property for the safety of the crews now and for the demolition."

To a question about when the structure itself would begin coming down, he said it would likely be mid-summer.

"We are still on schedule to be finished by Nov. 4," Lujan said.

He said the asbestos abatement is part of the original estimate of $3.5 million for the demolition. The asbestos removal is costing about $500,000 of that total.