Presence of asbestos prolongs contract, drives up costs.
The cost to demolish the old YMCA building in Riverfront Park, Spokane, Washington is increasing after contractors found more asbestos in the building than they originally thought existed.
An asbestos abatement company sent demolition teams a letter last month informing them the cost of removal would be higher than anticipated. Parks Department administrators are in the process of amending the contract to pay for the overrun.
Contractors are asking the City for as much as $80,000 extra to remove additional asbestos. The City is also spending an extra $20,000 to tear down a nearby building. The total extras are expected to cost at least $100,000.
“We’re still within budget,” said park director Leroy Eadie. “We’re not worried about that. We’re going to watch the demolition costs carefully.”
Eadie said the City wanted to spend $800,000 on demolition and $500,000 to build several look-out points on the Spokane River while planting trees and shrubs in the area.
The City is approaching the $800,000 mark. Any more increases could force the City to alter their plans for the land restoration.
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