August 30th, 2010
A Kirkbride on Craiglist
Just thought it was worth noting that the former Fergus Falls State Hospital campus is being offered for sale on Craigslist: $1 Historic Fergus Falls State Hospital. Alhough I have a hard time believing its fair market value (as the ad states), $1 is quite a bargain. It’s too bad “a plan for development and proof of private development capital is also required.”
I recently visited the Fergus Falls hospital. As someone very familiar with a number of Kirkbride hospitals, chiefly the Hudson River asylum, this is by far the most beautiful complex I’ve ever visited. The hospital, at least from the outside, it still fabulous, and the grounds are wonderfully maintained. It sure would be great if someone bought the hospital and just did enough restoration to keep it as it is.
On Craigslist!?! Odd choice for the city to advertise a piece of property like that! They do have $6 million to spend on a new ice arena though. In this economy and that area, I cant imagine they’ll get much of a response from developers. Reading the city minutes about the old hospital, they sound pretty set on demolition, especially “Parcel-D” which ever part of the property is. No mention of it on the city’s website, almost seems like they DON’T want to find a buyer.
Usually moves like this are purely for cheap (or free) publicity. Kind of a guerilla marketing technique. Think of the difference between putting a legal add in newspapers and hiring a broker vs. putting a $1 add on Craigslist and having quite a few newspapers pick up the story (free of charge).
I need to get out there asap
Does anyone know if they still give tours? And if so, who to contact?
Tours are given by the historical society on Friday afternoons during the summer. I’ve heard the last one of the season is on the 17th.. Here’s the phone number 218-736-5328
Does anyone know if the building is still up for sale? if so would i use the same number as above to contact someone?
Latest update:
http://www.fergusfallsrtc.com
City is actively seeking RFPs for possible developments. They are willing to consider proposals that will utilize the entire property or proposals that use only a portion (they are dividing the property into 4 parcels – if necessary).