MONTICELLO, NY — In recent years, Monticello Manor—a local hospital that first opened its doors on June 14, 1923 and subsequently underwent expansions in 1931 and 1949—was abandoned. According to numerous sources, it was used by the area’s homeless as a shelter from the elements.

In a previous interview with NYS Assemblywoman Gunther and her staff regarding the issue of local homelessness, they indicated that, on several occasions, they visited the derelict structures, located on a 5.59-acre lot in the Village of Monticello at 15 High St., and noted signs of human habitation.

In addition, local authorities stated that drug use was a related issue at the vacant site. Over the years, efforts have been made to board up first-floor windows and doorways to limit access to the buildings.

But things are looking up at the old hospital, as the Sullivan County Land Bank Corporation (SCLBC) took title to the property in December 2019 and quickly started to clean-up the property.

According to Jill M. Weyer, SCLBC executive director, the group has “secured the building as much as possible to prevent trespassing and further vandalism.”

The SCLBC was approved by Empire State Development in November 2016, and was officially incorporated by NYS in February 2017, as the 19th land bank in the state.

The mission statement of the SCLBC is “to strengthen neighborhoods by mitigating blight through strategic property acquisition that will create vibrant neighborhoods, increase homeownership, stimulate economic growth and support community development by retuning properties to productive use and improve quality of life.”

From February 14, 2018 through July 31, 2019, the SCLBC listed numerous properties they hold title to in several proposed categories, ranging from demolition to renovation, and new construction to merger.

On November 1, 2019, Kaitlin Mitchell, on behalf of the county land bank, submitted a historic resource inventory form seeking to list the property on the National Register of Historic Places.

According to Weyer, the property was determined to be eligible by the NYS Historic Preservation Office.

She said that to date, the first two phases of an environmental site assessment have been completed, and the SCLBC is “in the process of doing additional sitework to develop a reuse and remediation plan.”

In addition, the land bank recently completed a detailed survey of the site including a structural analysis of two structures.

On February 28, the SCLBC listed Monticello Manor (hospital and nurse residency) as a redevelopment project.

Weyer said the land bank is vetting proposals from developers to determine a “committed timeline for redevelopment.”

Responses from interested parties are due by 12 p.m. on Monday, March 30.

For more information, contact Weyer by calling 845/807-0530 or emailing jill.weyer@co.sullivan.ny.us. Contact the SCLBCby calling 845/807-0541 or by emailing info@sullivancountylandbank.org.