Rutland Heights Hospital was constructed in 1895 as a hospital for patients with tuberculosis. The treatment for tuberculosis at the time was fresh air, rest, and nutritious food, therefore Rutland was chosen as an ideal location. The hospital transitioned to a Veteran’s Hospital in 1922 and finally closed its doors in 1991. Since then, the Town has been working with local residents and state representatives on developing a reuse plan for the site. The 87-acre parcel was purchased by the Town for $456,000 in 2012. 

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Before the Town was able to obtain the land, there were a number of obstacles to overcome. Former selectman Ray Becker started a committee to draft a re-use policy for the property that was approved by Senator Stephen Brewer, D-Barre, and then state representative David Bunker, who both worked to get the property deed transferred to the town and have money allocated for the purchase.

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In 2002, work was done to bid for cleaning up the property and razing the property’s buildings from foundations to four feet below grade. The clean-up process removed medical waste from the former tuberculosis hospital, as well as hazardous waste from the facility’s former power plant. Site clean-up was particularly challenging due to its proximity to the residential Maple Street neighborhood.

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Old water and sewer lines have been removed and replaced, which benefits neighborhoods in the area, allowing them to hook up to sewer. Additionally, the road from Maple Street to Central Tree Middle School has been rebuilt, relieving Main Street from morning traffic stress and giving the school a seamless connection to the street.

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The RDIC recently released a Request for Proposals in search of suitable developers for the property.