The removal of asbestos is the next step in the ongoing renovation of a building acquired by the City of Union and Union County as part of their plans to promote economic development in the downtown area of the city.
Union City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to award the bid for the removal and disposal of asbestos and materials containing lead from the old Super 10 building at 107 E. Main St., Union, to Mac Environmental, LLC for $13,615. The cost of the removal and disposal of the materials will be paid for with funds from two grants totaling $78,750 the city received in 2011 to a conduct a market analysis and up fit of the building.
The building is jointly owned by the city and the county, both of which have been involved in its ongoing renovation. A report prepared by Finance Director Walker Gallman recommending the awarding of the bid to Mac Environmental, stated that the county has used inmate labor to clean up the building at very little cost. The city’s electrical crew has removed the lights, suspended ceiling and HVAC system from the building. An engineer was hired to evaluate the building’s structure and stability and an environmental firm hired to evaluate the level of hazardous material in the building that would have to be removed. The environmental firm’s report indicated the presence of hazardous material in the building and recommended their removal. This in turn led to the city seeking bids for the removal and disposal of the materials.
Once the hazardous materials are removed, the report states the balance of the funds remaining from the grants awarded for the project will be used to up fit the building for use by retail-type businesses such as a full service restaurant and specialty shops.
The city and the county acquired ownership of the building in 2007 at a cost of $38,500 with plans to renovate it so as to remain viable as a site for business and help recruit business to the downtown area. While the city and the county retain ownership of the building, the project is being overseen by the Union County Development Board and control of the building turned over to the Union County Chamber of Commerce. The chamber plans to list the building in a commercial database it is developing listing properties suitable for retail establishments, restaurants, professional, automotive and service businesses such as contractors. The purpose of the database is to provide a central listing of properties in order to respond to the needs of entrepreneurs wanting to open a business.
In other business, council voted unanimously to:
• Award the bid for the demolition of a building at 102 Ravenscroft St. to Kingsmore Construction of Union for $3,768. The company will demolish the building; dispose of the debris at Bennett’s C&D Landfill; and seed, fertilize and straw the property.
• Approve first reading of an ordinance rezoning the property at 230 Long Twelve Street from A-2 Highway Commercial to R-6 Residential.
• To allocate $500 to allow the city to be a “Red, White, & Blue Sponsor” of the Fourth of July celebration at Veterans Park.
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