Before the city can build one up, they have to tear a few old ones down.
Trail council agreed to a $70,000 pre-budget approval during the Monday governance meeting, which will cover the demolition costs for a rundown building at 1525 Bay Ave.
The city recently purchased the property which is adjacent to where the new integrated library/museum is slated to break ground next year.
Demolishing the current structure on the site was deemed a high priority with the related costs considered to be part of the capital construction for the new Riverfront Centre.
Prior to tendering the building’s demolition, the city had an environmental assessment of the site.
Through visual testing and sample analysis, asbestos was confirmed to be in the ducting, floor tiles, attic space and suspected to lie within the joints of the building’s cast iron piping.
Other hazardous materials include PCB’s in the fluorescent light ballasts throughout the structure and mercury within the fluorescent light tubes.
Under British Columbia’s Health and Safety Regulations, all hazardous materials must be removed prior to the demolition.
Grayhawk Industries, a Kelowna-based company that specializes in asbestos abatement, mercury spill clean up and PCB decontamination was awarded the job, which will cost close to $15,000.
Council approved an additional $52,600 for demolition of the two structures, including foundations from the Eagles building, and subsequent site restoration. That contract has yet to be awarded.
The procurement of additional square-footage prior to the facility’s $6 million construction is considered a bonus because the building’s conceptual design didn’t fit the lot - the 18,000-square foot structure would have otherwise jutted onto Helena Street.
Trail Mayor Mike Martin said the acquisition of the property was a timely opportunity given the added space that will become available for the Riverfront Centre.
The city can now consider options such as building alignment, the development of additional parking, green space and depending on demand, potentially opening up commercial opportunities, like a coffee shop, within the facility.
“Overall this property purchase aligns well with the city’s mandate to move forward with Trail’s economic development and the longterm sustainability of our entire region,” Martin added.
Another project Trail council green-lighted on Monday as a pre-budget capital cost for the pipe bridge construction, was demolition of the last remaining home on Riverside Avenue.
The city recently purchased that property after an alleged drunk driver plowed his truck into the home last summer, causing damage to the foundation.
“Removal of the home will open up this entire area for use as a park,” Larry Abenante, Trail’s public works manager said to council.
“And also provide a route for interceptor sewer from the old Trail Bridge to the new pedestrian bridge.”
Prior to seeking demolition quotes, the city had the residence assessed for hazardous material.
Cement asbestos was found in the home’s exterior siding boards, vinyl flooring, attic space and suspected within the cast iron sanitary pipes.
Grayhawk Industries was awarded the contract for $22,000, which includes proper removal of thermostats containing mercury, a PCB light ballast and ‘ozone-depleting substances’ found in three old refrigerators.
Once the hazardous components are removed, the regional fire services will demolish the house as a fire practise.
A further $11,500 has been earmarked for clean up, foundation removal and site restoration costs.
The new bridge will be tendered within the next two months. Actual construction is expected to begin in September, and conclude in early 2016.