MONROE COUNTY’S HISTORIC GATO BUILDING IN KEY WEST CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

​KEY WEST, FL-- While repairing concrete spalling at the Historic Gato Building at 1100 Simonton Street, Key West, traces of lead were found in the construction materials. In an abundance of caution, the building is closed to staff and the public, effective immediately until testing and remediation can be completed. 
 
The Historic Gato Building houses Monroe County administrative offices, including the County Administrator, Social Services, Solid Waste, Project Management, Management and Budget, Human Resources, UF IFAS Extension Services, and the Florida Department of Health in Monroe County. The County is in the process of temporarily moving the offices to alternate locations. Additional details will follow as they become available. 
 
The building was originally a cigar factory built in 1871 but was destroyed by a fire in 1915. The current building was rebuilt and opened in 1920.

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