Old County Home demolition comes with a price
LISBON — For a project that started out costing nothing, demolition of the old County Home complex is becoming increasingly expensive.
County commissioners on Wednesday agreed to pay the Howland Co. an additional $16,675 to remove asbestos from the last building that remains standing, which is in addition to the $12,700 paid the company to clean up asbestos removed from the other two buildings at the County Home complex in Center Township.
Hiring Howland to finish the asbestos clean up became necessary when commissioners voted in February to fire the original contractor, Amish Olde Wood (AOW), after it became embroiled in a payment dispute with the subcontractor it hired to perform the asbestos removal and disposal. The subcontractor walked off the job prior to commissioners terminating the contract with AOW, leaving behind demolished asbestos lying on the ground, prompting a visit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency.
When hired last summer AOW agreed to work for free in exchange for whatever beams, brick and stone foundation could be salvaged from the historical buildings. That was the same arrangement commissioners had with Russ James Contracting of Zanesville, the company hired several years ago to demolish the former county Department of Job and Family Services building. Commissioners have since hired Russ James for $13,000 to finish demolition of the first two buildings at the County Home complex and remove the non-asbestos debris.
Commissioner Jim Hoppel, who has taken the lead on the project as head of buildings and grounds, said asbestos was found in the third building and has to be removed before James can tear it down, which is why they are contracting again with Howland. Hoppel said they will likely have to enter into a second contract with Russ James to demolish the building once the asbestos is removed.
In other action, commissioners acted on the recommendation of the county engineer’s office and awarded the bid for new curbs and gutters on St. Clair Avenue in St. Clair Township. The bid was awarded to the low bidder, Parella-Pannunzio Inc., for $153,885. The project had to be rebid because the first round of bids exceeded 10 percent of the project estimate.
tgiambroni@mojonews.com