What does an old Gato Cigar Factory Building, the Florida Department of Health and Lead have in common?

JohnS · November 19, 2024

I couldn't help but share this article of a former Gato Cigar Factory Building in Key West, taken over by the Florida Department of Health nowadays, shutting down for health reasons due to traces of lead been found in the building. Ironically, when the factory was operating these health concerns didn't exist. How drole!

Health department in Key West moves temporarily after discovery of lead in building

WLRN Public Media - By Julia Cooper Published November 18, 2024 at 10:48 AM EST

The Gato building, a former cigar factory in Key West, was undergoing repairs when traces of lead were found in repair materals.

The Gato building, a former cigar factory in Key West, was undergoing repairs when traces of lead were found in repair materals. The building has been home to many Monroe’s administrative offices.

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County, one of several agencies operating out of the historic Gato building, is moving its clinic.

The Florida Department of Health in Monroe County is among several agencies relocating after trace amounts of lead were found in the historic building where they’re housed in Key West.

Lead was discovered this past week among construction material used for repairs at the historic Gato Cigar Factory Building, 1100 Simonton St.

The health department clinic services are moving to the Tuga Clinic, 5901 College Road, on the College of the Florida Keys campus in Key West. Appointments and walk-ins are welcome from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.

The historic Gato factory was built in 1871and operated through the height of Key West’s cigar trade. In 1915, the building was destroyed by a fire and rebuilt five years later.

The building has been home to Monroe’s administrative offices, including the health department, county administrator, social Services, solid waste.

The county is in the process of temporarily moving offices while lead testing and remediation is ongoing.

Partnering with Rural Health Network, the Tuga Clinic recently opened to fill the gaps in health care access identified in a 2022 Community Health Survey.

Source: https://health.wusf.usf.edu/health-news-florida/2024-11-18/health-department-in-key-west-moves-temporarily-after-discovery-of-lead-in-building