On the eve of abatement and demolition of the former Grace Hospital, neighbours are concerned about what it could mean to them.

Some fear asbestos particles flying around as demolition is being done.

Last week, Budget Environmental Disposal of Hamilton estimated there are several thousand tonnes of asbestos on the site.

Will Bartels, of Budget, ensured all demolition and removal will be done according to government regulations.

"First off, we'll be prepping for abatement. That's going to be a pretty lengthy project, getting the abatement out, and from there we'll start demolishing the buildings in sequence, after the asbestos has been removed," he said.

Bartels also said his company is aware of the possibility that the site may be home to rodents and vermin.

Bartels said he will call in an animal removal company if necessary.

Some neighbours said when other buildings were demolished in the area, they were infested with rats.

Lisa Harshaw lives near Grace and has concerns.

"Besides the asbestos for our health, I'm very concerned with what's living in there," she said. "They're going to be tearing down that building and so we're going to have rodents running free in our neighbourhood, much like what happened across the street when they tore down the houses."

Ted Foreman of Bob's Animal Removal said birds and cats are most likely to be the biggest problems. He said pigeons have moved into the the hospital and cats look for shelter and Grace would be a good place.

Foreman said skunks and rats are not likely a big problem because there is nothing to eat at the old hospital site.

Bartels hopes to complete the clean up by the end of July. The province is providng the city with $7 million to pay for the operation. Another $4 million may be available, if approved.

This weekend members of the Greek Orthodox community will decide on a property exchange with the city.

A large industrial site they own on Walker Road would be swapped for the hospital site.

Frank Harshaw has lived near the former hospital property for 15 years. He supports the land exchange.

"That's great. Compared to what we're living with now, anything is better. If that building comes down and they put grass in there, I'm happy with that, too," he said. "I'd like to see development there. I really don't care at this point. I just want that building down."

The Greek Orthodox community is considering a land swap with the city that would allow them to build a new church on the site.