Vacant hospital building in Miami Gardens to be demolished after two decades of vacancy

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – An 11-story building in Miami Gardens that once housed up to 300 patients as the old Parkway West Regional Hospital is finally being demolished.

After more than 20 years vacant, the graffiti-strewn structure that was an eyesore just off the Golden Glades Interchange in Miami Gardens will soon disappear thanks to controlled demolition.

Miami-Dade County leaders expressed excitement at the demolition of the building.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Miami-Dade Commission Chairman Oliver Gilbert.

BG Group’s Alec Greenberg told Local 10 News that hard hats and heavy machinery were already in place.

“We started by removing all of the asbestos in the structure and removing all of the interior siding, and we also recently received our demolition permit from the city,” he said.

The process begins with this long-reach excavator gradually removing pieces of the building, starting at the top and working its way down piece by piece, floor by floor, until the structure is gone.

A special ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the site Tuesday by city and county leaders, symbolizing the start of something new that will add half a million square feet to a convention hall and hotel.

A congress center with a hotel and wedding location is to be built on the new site.

“(It’s) a destination for people to get married and have fun,” said one architect.

Miami Gardens Mayor Rodney Harris was asked by Local 10 News reporter Terrell Forney, “What took so long?”

“I think we had to find the right people. We wanted to make sure they made something special here,” Harris replied.

Architects are still finalizing the design, but visitors and residents will notice a difference within days.

“This will be a unique facility and we look forward to seeing it emerge, thrive and make our city one of America’s greatest cities,” Harris said.