A $4.7 million project to demolish the second oldest section of Lawrence & Memorial Hospital is scheduled to begin when work crews begin surrounding a 120-foot brick chimney at the back of the sprawling building with staging in preparation for its removal.

The chimney, built in 1930 to vent heat and fumes from the oil burners in the old boiler house, has served as a landmark for sailors heading into New London harbor and drivers finding their way to the hospital off Interstate 95. It has not been used since 1994, said Stephen Gadaree, L&M