Neighbors want Golden Glades eyesore fixed

Parkway West Regional Medical Center closed

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – It's the biggest building at one of the busiest intersections in Miami-Dade County and an embarrassing landmark for the people who live nearby.

The former Parkway West Regional Medical Center near the Golden Glades Interchange remains dilapidated and nearly windowless.

"It's very frustrating because you have a lot of people that don't belong over here coming in the middle of the night, skateboarding, climbing on top of the building, leaving graffiti," said a man who works next door at the Lubavitch Educational Center.

Local 10 found areas locked by gates and fences but other spots on the perimeter where anyone could slip inside.

Parking lot magnate Jacob Sopher owns the building, according to property records. He wasn't available for comment Tuesday.

Neighbors said they've complained to the city about the former hospital to no avail.

"Yeah, yeah, don't worry we're dealing with it, we're dealing with it -- and nothing," said the Lubavitch Educational Center employee.

Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert said the city has liens against the building totaling tens of thousands of dollars for unpaid code violations. It also has a demolition order from its unsafe structures board, but it would cost $1 million to tear the former hospital down.