Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

An abandoned bowling alley and motor lodge in Black River Falls, Wisconsin, has been ordered to be returned back into the hands of the original owner, Warren Johnson, and given a deadline for clean up after discovering two different types of asbestos in the debris left after demolition. 

 

Rock Valley Holding Company, current property owners of the former Pine Motors Lodge, bought the site in October of 2007 and had plans to rebuild it into a center with a convenience store, bowling alley and retail center. The Pines was then demolished in spring 2008, bet the debris never cleared, leaving an eyesore for the rest of the surrounding communities. Then asbestos was discovered within the debris, and public dissatisfaction called for some action to be taken to clean up the site.

 

Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous mineral high in strength and resistant to heat, chemicals and fire. Because of these thermal properties, asbestos was widely used in many building and construction materials, including roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, and cement and insulation products. If asbestos containing materials are damaged or disturbed, as in demolition, they can release fibers into the air. Once airborne, asbestos can be inhaled and cause serious, fatal diseases, such as mesothelioma, asbestosis or lung cancer.

 

The Pines property is now back in the hands of Johnson, who must clean up the site by a court ordered deadline, or a qualified third party will be contracted to perform the duties and the cost of clean up will be placed as a tax lien against the property.