(KNZA)--The former Horton Hospital building is being prepared for demolition.

A crew is currently working on removing all the asbestos from the structure.

Atchison-based Amberwell Health, who owns the property, has hired Madget Demolition, of St. Joseph, Missouri, to demolish the structure.

Demolition to start at the end of the month or the first part of April.

Since the hospital closed in March 2019 the building has set empty. Hopes were to have a business take over the facility, but due to the condition of the building it would be a very expensive venture.

The hospital, which was built in 1964, employed 40 to 50 when it closed.