A resolution to the conflict between the owners of Yorktown Memorial Hospital and city officials who threatened to condemn the closed 1950s-era building is in sight, according to one of the owners.
Fred Garza-Guzman said he and his partner, Steve Garza-Guzman, met with Mayor Bill Baker and City Administrator Michele Warwas Dec. 3, and the meeting was productive.
“The conversation was open, thoughtful, and encouraging,” Garza-Guzman said. “While there is still a great deal of work ahead in the historic preservation process, this meeting offered clearer direction, renewed confidence, and our initial steps to begin moving forward. With careful planning, steady work, and creative problem solving, the hospital’s history and future now have a stronger place in Yorktown’s story.”
Garza-Guzman said he and his partner hope their business plans will benefit Yorktown in the future by growing sales tax revenue.
“We appreciated the city’s words and reflections, and we recognize the dedication shown during this process,” Garza-Guzman said. “Our goal is to move forward together in a way that shares true respect, preserves the real history of the hospital, and builds a see-through preservation plan.”
Warwas confirmed the meeting took place with the hospital’s owners, but she said Mayor Baker did not want to comment on it at this time.
Garza-Guzman added he appreciates the support he received from the community over the past few weeks.
“We want to thank the community for the calls, the support, and for showing up at city council meetings and at the recent public hearing,” Garza-Guzman said.” Your belief in this mission has carried us forward in meaningful ways, and we do not take it for granted.”
The Yorktown City Council postponed consideration of condemnation proceedings on the hospital building after a public hearing at a Nov. 17, meeting. The council heard the Garza-Guzmans’ case for saving the reportedly “haunted” building during the two-hour hearing and voted to table any action for the time being.
At the meeting, city officials agreed to a meeting with the owners prior to the council considering any action again.
The owners, who conduct tours of the closed hospital under the business name of Curious Twins Paranormal and Ghost Tours of San Antonio, told the council they are seeking historical preservation designations for the building.
Tours are scheduled for Dec. 12-13 at the hospital building.
Yorktown Memorial Hospital was built in 1950 and opened in 1951 by the Felician Sisters. It was a 21bed hospital dedicated to honoring the casualties from both World Wars. It closed in 1986 and was reopened as a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center until 1992.
Garza-Guzman said several people from Yorktown and out-oftown showed up at the hearing to support their effort to preserve the hospital building.
City officials first notified the owners of their concerns about the building being a danger to the public and ordered entry to it stopped Aug. 22 after an inspection. The owners resumed the tours in September as a member program rather than it being open to the public after consulting a lawyer.
Garza-Guzman said he was surprised when city officials notified them of plans to reinspect the building in October.
A report by City Inspector Bureau Veritas dated Oct. 16 included 54 photographs of deteriorating conditions inside and outside the building at 728 W. Main St. Veritas determined that the building “violates the standards as provided by the Substandard Building Ordinance of the City of Yorktown.” The report cited 10 deficiencies, including the danger of the building being “liable to partially or fully collapse” in determining that it is a public nuisance.
City officials advised the owners of the public hearing in a letter dated Nov. 4. It said the city could order the building repaired or demolished, unless proof is provided at the hearing of a “reasonable projected timeline” to bring the property into compliance.
Garza-Guzman said that he and his business and life partner, Stephen Garza-Guzman, are committed to saving the building because of its historical and cultural significance.
