An spokeswoman with Decatur Morgan Hospital confirmed Thursday that hospital officials are considering tearing down the former Hartselle Medical Center building and could possibly sell the property.

Hospital spokeswoman Leigh Hays said hospital officials have recently decided to include tearing down the 90,000-square-foot building as a possible option if the hospital cannot find another economically viable option.

“What we’re looking at is what is best use of the property for the community and for us,” Hays said. “Right now, considering the age of the facilities and the upgrades it would need to make it viable, bringing the building down could be a likely alternative.”

Hartselle Medical Center has sat vacant since Capella Healthcare closed the facility Jan. 31, 2012. Shortly after that, Huntsville Hospital acquired the facility along with Parkway Medical Center from Capella.

Hays said Decatur Morgan Hospital has considered other options, including selling the facility or even giving it to the City of Hartselle. However, she said none of the options so far have been economically feasible.

“It is costing us $34,000 a month to keep it where it is without making any upgrades on the facility,” Hays said. “We have looked at selling the facility as well, but there haven’t been many buyers who are looking for a 90,000-square-foot facility.”

City Councilman Kenny Thompson said the cost was too great for the city to acquire the building, even if it wouldn’t cost a penny.

“It would cost us $500,000 just to remove all of the asbestos,” Thompson said. “The cost of removing the building would be about $1 million without getting any return on the property.”

Thompson said he would rather see the building torn down rather than sit empty for years.

“If they go ahead and tear it down, I would be fine with that,” Thompson said.

Hays added that any plans for removal of the hospital building would not affect the operation of the doctor’s clinic, which still shares an awning with the former hospital emergency room entrance. In fact, she said that upgrades and expansions could occur at the clinic.

“It is possible that the clinic could get additional diagnostics facilities that it doesn’t have currently,” Hays said. “Again, there are no set plans at this time, but we will look at each option.”

Hays said tearing the building down could lead to positive economic growth in the future.

“Someone could develop the land, which could lead to economic growth opportunities,” Hays said. “We’re looking at whatever will give a good return on the investment for us and the community.”

Hays said that a final decision has not been made at this time and there is no timetable for removal of the building. If the decision is made, Hays said that Decatur Morgan Hospital would “repurpose” any equipment remaining in the facility for use at other hospitals.

The asbestos would then have to be removed before the final demolition could take place.

However, she said all options are still open for any government entity or private investor that wants to purchase the property as is.

“If the city or the county wanted to use the facility or an investor wants to buy it, then we would still be open to talking with them,” Hays said. “All options are still on the table. It’s just that one option is now to tear the building down.”