Created: 9/28/2009 4:43:03 PM 
JACKSONVILLE, FL -- The first African-American hospital in Jacksonville spent months under renovation. But now it sits empty. Some say it's a waste of precious history and money.
Brewster Hospital survived the Great Fire of 1901. Its hallways are full of history. It has stood the test of time, but now time seems to be taking over.
The grass surrounding the historical building is a couple of feet high, and the weeds are too.
The City allocated $1.6 million for the project and received another $350,000 in grant money to complete it.
"We saw it when it was just barely hanging together. We wondered how they were going to redo the building."Van Fossen says the new paint job and other renovations were completed nearly a year ago.
She watched it all from her office building right next door.
The plan was once the paint was dry and the new windows were put in, the historical building would be a museum and a clinic.
"The work was done and it has sat vacant ever since," says Van Fossen. She says no one who works in the area is happy about it. "We've spent a lot of time and money revitalizing it, and then you've got this that is over here empty."
And don't forget about all the money that was put into renovating the building. "Is this not taxpayer money being really poorly spent? They put up this great fence. Everything is enclosed, but it's closed. The lawn doesn't get mowed. Nothing is done."
Van Fossen says no one from the City has been here in months and she wants some answers. "We're not pleased. It's disappointing that something isn't done with it."
The Jacksonville Economic Development Council got back with First Coast News late Monday afternoon saying the project is not done.
It's spokesperson says Public Works is in charge of mowing the lawn every two weeks. The Department has been made aware of the high grass and will rectify the situation.
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