It’s been somewhat quiet since TM Montante Development was selected to redevelop the Gates Circle Hospital site in November 2013. That will soon change as as Montante Construction announced that it has selected Ontario Specialty Contracting to lead remediation and demolition at the 6.7-acre site. The announcement came after the company received approval from the Preservation Board last week for the first phase of demolition.

According to Montante Construction, environmental remediation and abatement activity will begin onsite this week, with demolition of a former power plant facility, located on the southeast portion of the former hospital campus, targeted for March. Crews will also begin interior abatement work in the former hospital tower building next month. Demolition of the former hospital tower is being targeted for this summer.

“Our team has spent the past year doing substantive and aggressive pre-development work related to the project, including environmental work, work related to the Brownfield Cleanup Program, as well as meeting with many community stakeholders,” said Byron DeLuke, public affairs director for Montante Construction. “All of that work has prepared us to move forward in a more demonstrative way as we near the spring and summer development periods. This is the all-important first step toward realizing our vision for the future of Gates Circle.”

One of the signature components of the project is the development of a city-based campus for Canterbury Woods, the region’s premier life care community. Canterbury Woods is planning a six-story, $30 million building, featuring approximately 53 independent living apartments, on the area where the former hospital tower currently sits. The goal is to have that parcel construction-ready by October.

A second signature building along Delaware Avenue will include a fitness facility, an urban grocery market, and office space, while a series of market-rate and for-sale residential options, and small retail options are also central to the overall vision for the site.