Allegany County Space Needs Committee members on June 4 agreed to obtain an asbestos survey and additional cost estimates for a deteriorating county-owned church building, a step the committee said is needed before it decides whether to demolish the structure and convert the lot to parking.

The committee chair, Fred Demick, opened the item as unfinished business from a prior meeting and asked staff for a condition report on the building. Committee members said a facilities review by Hunt recommended demolition because of structural problems and code violations, and staff presented an initial demolition estimate of about $60,000.

Committee members said the building has multiple code violations and maintenance problems that complicate reuse. "In Hunt's review of all of our buildings, that was included. And their actual recommendation is demo because of the condition of it," said Tom Windes, staff member. Windes told the committee the building has a failing foundation and supports, roofing and drainage problems and an electrical hazard; it also lacks running water and bathroom facilities. He added that peeling paint on siding is a property-maintenance violation and that the building contains lead-based paint that would limit what staff can do without specialized remediation.

Why it matters: Committee members said the parcel sits adjacent to county operations and that removing the building could create additional parking used by agencies such as the Board of Elections and the Conflict Defender's office. Members also flagged taxpayer costs and the need to identify funding before commissioning demolition.

Most important facts

Windes said Hunt estimated approximately $60,000 to demolish the church building, but he told the committee Hunt’s estimate did not include asbestos abatement. "We haven't done an asbestos survey in there yet, but we can do that," Windes said. He also referenced remediation work at the county parsonage, saying the lead-based paint remediation there had a bid of $115,000.

Committee member Gary Barnes asked whether the $60,000 estimate included asbestos abatement; Windes said it did not. Barnes said an asbestos cost estimate would be necessary to decide whether the county should contract the demo or perform work in-house. "For me, church value is not something I think we need to take on. So I guess my thought was is that if we can get a number on the asbestos abatement, then we can make a decision on whether we do it ourselves," Barnes said.

Members discussed potential reuse and costs for the lot after demolition. Windes said if the county demolished the structure and removed hazardous materials, staff could fill and pave the area to create parking. "If we did that... I would fill it in with [gravel] and blacktop it," Windes said; later in the discussion staff estimated the removal could yield roughly 30 parking spaces.

Committee direction and next steps

The committee did not adopt a formal demolition motion at the June 4 meeting. Instead members agreed to order an asbestos survey and to return the matter for further discussion and cost estimates. "I think what we should do is move forward and have them asbestos check it," Chair Fred Demick said; committee staff confirmed they would arrange the inspection and report back.

Members also discussed possible salvage of architectural elements and the option to post a salvage notice if the county decides to demolish the structure; Windes said the county had put salvage bids out for parts of another building in the past. Jan (committee member) asked about funding; staff said demolition of county-owned properties is on their list of budget priorities for 2025 and 2026 and that the church parcel is on a shortlist of properties under review.

Background and context

Committee members said the county purchased the parcel — which included three buildings — from church owners previously and that there were no recorded stipulations requiring the county to preserve the church or delay demolition. Windes described prior attempts to repurpose the church for meeting space and said those efforts did not proceed as codes changed.

Possible timeline and constraints

Committee discussion suggested demolition could occur by the end of the year if the county proceeds, but members emphasized that timeline depends on asbestos results, cost, funding availability and coordination to relocate items currently stored in the building. Windes noted there is a water line running through the building that would need relocation if the county removes the structure.

What the committee decided

The committee voted to approve the minutes from its May 7 meeting at the start of the June 4 session. For the church building, the committee reached a consensus to obtain an asbestos survey and additional cost estimates and to return the item to a future meeting for a formal decision.

The committee adjourned after addressing the unfinished business and other routine items.