Asbestos abatement is a costly, but necessary step that puts America one step closer to eradicating this toxic mineral from the environment. While asbestos abatement for sizable residential properties could cost as much as $20,000 to $30,000, the costs for larger commercial properties often reach into the millions. Such was the case for one historic structure in Buffalo, New York, known as the AM&A Building.
The owners of the former department store and 375,000-square-foot complex planned to convert the structure into a new hotel, at least two restaurants and multiple other features. According to The Buffalo News, the project quickly “evolved into a full-scale Wyndham Buffalo Hotel,” two restaurants, a NYC-style nightclub, an arcade, and a top-floor steakhouse with a glass ceiling. There is also a 10-story atrium planned in the center, plus 6,000 to 8,000 square feet of additional retail space, a large pool and spa
While work on the massive project got underway more than 18 months ago, it was interrupted by “a contractor dispute and then delayed by the vast amount of asbestos and other environmental contamination in the long-abandoned building.” The scope of work was held up and then expanded at the direction of the state Department of Labor, which oversees asbestos removal work. Brian Frost, CEO of Loung Construction, a company formed to perform the project for the owners (Landco H&L), explained that, “the state asked the contractors to completely "gut the building" because of the "level of contamination" that was left behind by a prior contractor.”
“So to be safe,” said Frost, “we removed anything that was not historically required to stay." Due to the sheer amount of asbestos in the building, it took two shift crews to complete the abatement, which ended up costing Landco $7 million dollars, for a total project cost of $70 million. This delayed completion of the entire project, which was scheduled for early 2018.
Did you know that asbestos is the only cause of an aggressive cancer known as mesothelioma?
If you suspect that your home or workplace contains asbestos, contact your doctor and your state department of environmental protection or health right away. Visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website for a directory.
Sources
Epstein, Jonathan D. "$7 Million Asbestos Removal Nearly Done at AM&A's Project." The Buffalo News. The Buffalo News, 03 Apr. 2018. Web. 14 Apr. 2018.
Wachadlo, Martin. "The J. N. Adam & Co./AM&A's Department Store." Buffalo Architecture and History. Ingenious Inc., 2003. Web. 14 Apr. 2018.
Walker, Jan Soults. "Asbestos Removal: Caution and Costs." Houselogic. National Association of Realtors, 11 Oct. 2016. Web. 14 Apr. 2018.
