Like many other states, Ohio has numerous old buildings. Some of them may contain asbestos, and when developers want to renovate those old buildings, remediation may be necessary in order to avoid the potential for asbestos exposure by workers and others in the area. Remediation efforts can easily reach into the millions of dollars when done properly, but the safety of everyone involved must take precedence.
For instance, developers in another state have paid approximately $7 million to remove asbestos and other contaminants from an abandoned building. This is only part of a $70 million project to convert the space into a hotel with at least two restaurants, along with other features. A dispute that stalled the project approximately 18 months ago may have been fortuitous since the discovery of the asbestos occurred around the same time.
In this particular building, located in Buffalo, New York, the extent of the contamination required the building to be completely gutted. Only those items required to be left intact for historical preservation remained. This particular asbestos remediation required two shifts of workers in order to handle the extensive damage. As in other cases involving this type of work, it ended up costing more than anticipated.
Even though the cost to developers may be high, it is worth eliminating the possibility of asbestos exposure to workers and future occupants and visitors to Ohio’s old buildings. Many times, renovation projects begin knowing of the potential for the presence of environmental contaminants. Once they are found, they must be dealt with in accordance with both state and federal regulations in order to eradicate the threat they pose.
Source: buffalonews.com, “$7 million asbestos removal nearly done at AM&A’s project“, Jonathan D. Epstein, April 2, 2018
