Morehead, KY – Frontier Housing, Inc., has chosen an environmental engineering firm to lead cleanup activities at the Hayswood Hospital property in downtown Maysville.

Linebach Funkhouser, Inc. (LFI) was selected through a competitive bid process. The bid was awarded June 5, 2024. Qualified Environmental Professionals had until March 28, 2024, at 4 p.m. to submit proposals to provide certain professional services associated to the Brownfield Cleanup Grant, per US EPA guidelines and requirements, for the abandoned Hayswood Hospital property, located at 20 West Fourth Street.

The proposals were scored based on written materials set forth in the combined Requests for Proposals and Request for Qualifications.

Frontier Housing is the recipient of a $1,999,900 Brownfields Cleanup Grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency.

LFI was established in March 2002 in Louisville and is a privately-owned consulting firm devoted exclusively to environmental assessment, remediation, and compliance work. Robert Perkins, LFI’s Project Manager, will lead LFI’s Brownfield Team on this project. The LFI Team has completed over 30 USEPA Grant Projects in Kentucky, totaling more than $12 million in USEPA grant funding.

“With LFI’s selection as the environmental project manager, the momentum will continue building for Frontier’s Hayswood Hospital redevelopment which will transform the historic structure and downtown centerpiece.  I’ve known LFI’s Bob Perkins for years and in my opinion, he’s the preeminent expert on brownfield redevelopment in Kentucky.  With LFI’s addition to the team, I’m excited to see the upcoming transformation to Frontier’s Hayswood property,” Mason County Judge-Executive Owen McNeill stated.  

He continued: “I want to highlight Frontier’s inclusiveness and transparency as well. Throughout this process, Frontier has consistently planned with an eye on not only updating the public but including our local community.  I think it’s important that we not only applaud Frontier’s investment but also their willingness to listen to Maysville and Mason County citizens as active teammates in this project.”

“This phase represents a significant step forward in the project process.  Frontier’s efforts to address potential environmental hazards at the site of the former Hayswood Hospital is truly appreciated and very reassuring,” said Maysville Mayor Debra Cotterill. “We know Frontier and LFI are dedicated to applying innovative technologies and best practices in environmental remediation to restore this structure. We support their goal to not only remediate the site but also to prepare it for the rehabilitation stage, so that it can be a supporting structure for our housing needs. We are extremely excited to embark on this journey and work closely with the Frontier and LFI. Together, we can make a lasting positive impact in this part of our City.”

Frontier Housing and the Buffalo Trace Area Development District have been working with the Regional EPA office and has been provided technical assistance from the New Jersey Institute of Technology, throughout the Brownfields grant awarding process.

LFI will work with Frontier Housing, Buffalo Trace ADD, and the Region 4 EPA Project Manager, to finalize a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) and Analysis of Brownfield Cleanup alternatives (ABCA), as well as development of specifications and contract documents, so bids can be let for the remediation contract. Finalized plans will require review and approval of EPA before bidding can occur.

Frontier and Buffalo Trace ADD worked with city, county, and state officials to secure the nearly $2 million in Brownfields Cleanup Grant that was announced in May 2023.

The original Hayswood Hospital structure was constructed in 1923 as a hospital facility, with additional floors added in 1952 and 1960. Renovations were completed in 1971. The hospital was closed in 1983 and has remained vacant since.

Frontier Housing purchased the property in November 2022. Frontier is based in Morehead and serves 22 counties including Mason.

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Frontier Housing is the leader for affordable housing solutions in Appalachian communities in the heart of the Ohio River Valley. Frontier improves the quality of life for individuals and families, helping them achieve long-term stability, financial independence, and generational wealth. Learn more at frontierky.org