A longtime vacant and abandoned building remains an eyesore and a concern for two organizations on Warren's Northwest side.

The former St. Joseph Riverside Hospital on Tod Avenue Northwest remains boarded up with no plans in place for it to be torn down.

The recent move of the women's shelter, Someplace Safe, is raising new concerns about the building's existence.

Someplace Safe's new director, Alicia Williamson, said it's not only a safety concern, but she also said the building serves as a negative reminder for the women she helps. 

She said some women claim they were sex trafficked inside the former hospital building.

VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System's Jose Salsato tells 21 News that safety is a top priority for the veterans the clinic serves. Salsato and Williamson are currently looking into ways they could ease the financial burden of tearing the building down.

Warren's fire chief describes the building as a hazard for firefighters. Chief Ken Nussle said firefighters use extreme caution when they're called out to the building, and soon, they may decide to no longer enter it at all. "We're not going to risk firefighter lives for something that's going to be hauled to the dump," Nussle said.

Inside, Nussle said the building has open elevator shafts, standing water in the basement and the copper has been stripped.

Nussle said it's up to the incident commander to decide if crews enter the building.

Last year they put out small fires and rescued two dogs from inside. He worries one-day young children will try to explore the dangerous conditions inside.

City Safety Director Enzo Cantalamessa said the asbestos removal and demolition costs would range from $10 million to $12 million. He said it's the most significant element of blight in the city. There are no state funding dollars or grants available to remove it.

The city reached out to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine's Office in the past for help in tracking down the owner of the property.