Asbestos Halts Demolition Project

The demolition of two vacant buildings on the land surrounding Park View Health Center has been delayed due to the discovery of asbestos. The cost of the project will increase approximately 50 percent as asbestos has to be removed first for the demolition process to resume.

According to Mike Elder, county’s director of facilities and property management, the crews tearing down the buildings discovered more asbestos than originally located in a scan. The properties are located on the lot at 725 Butler Ave.

A preliminary asbestos survey showed 11,000 square feet of asbestos. But, according to Elder, they are not sure if asbestos is present at somewhere else as well. He said the buildings have been full of surprises. Asbestos was found in floor adhesives and pipes in the walls after the demolition process started.

Though the hazards of asbestos are fully known now, it was a very popular construction material before the 1980s. So the material is still present in many old buildings. Asbestos fibers can be airborne if the material is disturbed or broken. Inhalation of these fibers can result in fatal diseases including cancer. Therefore, asbestos removal is an essential process prior to a demolition project.

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