Andrus said the former Health Department building has been closed for at least three years.

“It has always been a source of embarrassment,” Andrus said of the dilapidated structures. “Especially when our agriculture events load off on 15th Street, and they see these abandoned structures.”

The short-term plan for the 7.5-acre property is to use it for parking and as a staging area, Andrus said.

The idea “is to make it look as nice as possible for our neighbors,” Andrus said.

County officials have no long-term plan for the property, but Andrus said he expects interest in the property to be strong, especially once it is cleared.

“It has been surprising that we have not had more serious inquiries about that corner,” he said. “I think it has been in such disrepair for the last three or four years, and it is just not on anyone’s radar.

“I will be very surprised if in the next year we don’t have some serious inquiries.”

Andrus said the demolition is being done now because funds have finally become available to do the work. Expo Square is using approximately $560,000 in Vision Tulsa funds to pay for the demolition.

In all, the fairgrounds received $30 million in the sales tax package, much of it going to pay for the construction of a new barn.

Kevin Canfield 918-645-5452 kevin.canfield@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @aWorldofKC

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