Cheney School demolition on track after unexpected abatement; demolition to finish in April

Jason Fee, director overseeing county infrastructure projects, updated the board on demolition and environmental remediation at the former Cheney School site. County staff reported additional abatement work was required after crews uncovered an older flooring adhesive that required removal before slab and foundation work could proceed.

What was found and cost impact: Fee said initial surveys identified limited asbestos-containing materials (fire doors and pipe insulation), but later work found 9x9 tiles and a different glue beneath built‑in sinks. Laboratory testing showed the tiles were not asbestos but the original adhesive required abatement. Fee told commissioners the additional abatement work will add about $60,000 to project costs.

Schedule and work completed: Abatement work has been completed and demolition work sped up; demolition began Feb. 12 and the contractor had removed roughly a quarter of the slab and foundations as of the latest site visit. Fee said utilities (water and sewer) will be capped in coordination with Superior Township, soil‑stabilization and erosion controls will be installed, and the site will be seeded and monitored. Fee projected demolition completion in April and said the cleared property will be prepared for redevelopment and building‑department reviews.

Why it matters: County officials noted the project also removed aging infrastructure and environmental hazards from a neighborhood site. Commissioners thanked staff for moving the project forward and noted interest in salvaging historic bricks for community use.

Ending: Fee said documentation and closeout paperwork are underway and that the contractor is separating recyclables from demolition waste during the work: "Abatement is complete, and we're closing out the paperwork on that, and demolition...we're anticipating to be done now here in a little less than a month," he said.