Palm Beach County (FL) OKs Sale of Glades Hospital

The Health Care District of Palm Beach County Board has approved the $250,000 bid to purchase the old Glades General Hospital on 14 acres in Belle Glade to Miami-based developers Castello Brothers, LLC.

"We are encouraged by the bidder's interest in developing new housing on the property, which would serve as a community resource and asset," Dwight D. Chenette, CEO of the healthcare district, said in prepared remarks. "The plans outlined by the bidder will put the property back on the tax rolls and may create additional jobs while renovations are underway."

Castello Brothers, which co-owns a 384-unit, multi-family Belle Glade Gardens development, said it will convert the Glades General Hospital property for residential use. The Castello Brothers' offer was the highest of two bids submitted in response to an invitation to bid issued in December. The healthcare district board approved the bid on Wednesday, and the deal is expected to close within the next two months.

Glades General Hospital served rural western Palm Beach County for more than 65 years before it shuttered on Oct. 15, when the county opened Lakeside Medical Center. The new 70-bed hospital is Palm Beach County's only public hospital.