Asbestos Abatement Underway in Winter Garden Theater

First round work to tear down the Winter Garden Theater will get under way Tuesday as when asbestos abatement crews starts their job.

Jason Stronz, the executive director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corporation, said asbestos crews took equipment to the theatre Friday.

“The asbestos abatement crew has moved in. They are mobilizing and getting their equipment together,” Stronz said.

According to Stronz, asbestos abatement will take 10-15 days. He said demolition can start once asbestos abatement is completed.

Ontario Specialty Contracting Ltd., a Buffalo-based contractor, will carry out both asbestos abatement and demolition.

City’s Department of Public Works Wednesday announced it had closed Mechanics Alley that runs behind the Winter Garden property. According to Jeff Lehman, the city’s public works director, the alley will be closed to thru traffic for around two months while the theater is demolished.

Stronz said North Main Street won’t be affected at the moment as most of the asbestos is in the back portion of the building. “Most of the work will be performed from that end,” he said. Stronz said he was not sure what would happen in terms of the demolition.

Stronz said city officials have to wait until the air is clean inside the theater for removing seats and other important items from the building after the completion of asbestos abatement. This is important because inhalation of asbestos fibers may result in severe respiratory problems.

Demolition is supposed to start in April.

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