Commissioners Corner

By Dick Scott

            We had an interesting meeting  last Friday with all of the different entities working on the Murdock Building Complex. Colorado Preservation Inc., two people from the state working with asbestos rules and regulations, the architect , the building contractor and two people with Colorado Hazards (asbestos issues) were present along with Bill Koehler and myself. Bob Ogle with LCC has been coordinating the asbestos removal but was unable to attend this meeting.  There has been a temporary halt for the work on the building until the asbestos removal procedure and process is coordinated.  Apparently there is more to the asbestos issue than originally thought. The group did leave the meeting in a cooperative frame of mind and it would seem work will start once again soon.

            Apparently there is also more structural problem with the building than originally thought. Those from every entity present made comment about the magnitude of the problem confronted in the restoration of this building. Empire Construction came up with a summation that seemed to pretty well sum it up while being politically gentle, “ This is probably the most structurally compromised building I have dealt with”.

            It would appear there is a lot of challenge ahead for this project and part of this will be funding. It will be even more challenging if part of this funding is expected from the county.  The county position is to not put more county funds into the project.