Land Bank backs Phillips Hall Brownfield application for asbestos abatement and demolition

The Delaware County Land Reutilization Corporation voted to submit a state Brownfield grant application for Phillips Hall, approving a letter of support, a subrecipient agreement and a clean-hands affidavit necessary for filing.

Susan Zinnaraman, representing the campus that owns Phillips Hall, said the building “was opened on our campus in 1958” and described a history of hazardous-material findings and recent structural problems that have closed the auditorium. Emily (staff) told the board the application must be filed by Sept. 11 and that the land bank’s materials were ready for signature.

Board discussion included project scope and cost. Emily reported the full project cost, including match, is “$850,787.73,” supported by contractors’ quotes for abatement and demolition. Chair asked for and received a motion to approve submission of the application with the three documents; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote. The board authorized electronic execution and countersignature where required to meet the filing deadline.

The board and applicants said demolition timing will be coordinated with campus events if the grant is awarded; there is no guarantee the statewide program will fund the project. The subrecipient agreement and affidavit will be executed and the application filed by the staff in the coming days.