Clapper, Patti, Schweizer and Mason

The YWCA building in Des Moines came on the market in February of this year after finally closing its women and children’s shelter.  The vacant building was then purchased by the City for just under $500K.  The high estimates of how much the asbestos removal would cost, as well as demolition, caused the selling price to be lower than originally offered.

REW Services Corporation came in with the lowest bid of $119,500 to remove the asbestos and therefore was awarded the contract.  Under federal and environmental law, before any demolition can occur, the building must be inspected for asbestos and all known or suspected sources identified and removed properly before tear down. 

According to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines, an asbestos containing product that has a high probability of “being crumbled, pulverized, or reduced to powder as part of demolition must be removed before demolition begins.”  Common materials that could become friable, releasing dangerous levels of asbestos into the air, are floor coverings, roofing products, packings, gaskets, insulation, and heat or fire resistant products. 

Asbestos, when airborne, is known to cause mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.  Therefore, certain regulations must be followed to prevent any exposure during demolition to workers or the public.  Asbestos containing materials must be properly managed, removed and disposed of.   Any demolition approach taken by a contractor must include and follow these regulations.

The estimated cost to demolish and remove asbestos from the YWCA building is $1.85 million, way over what the city first determined.  The City will move forward with demolition because of the high cost of continued maintenance and operation and the poor condition of the building.  Because of the buildings strategic location downtown, the City hopes to also remodel the adjacent parking garage and rebuild with commercial development in mind.