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Chicopee approves $11,565 to assess hazardous materials at former school property before surplus sale
Summary
The council approved a $11,565 appropriation for testing and lab analysis at 180 Broadway so the city can identify hazardous building materials before releasing the property for redevelopment.
The Chicopee City Council on Jan. 21 appropriated $11,565 from the stabilization fund to pay for an assessment of hazardous building materials at the former school/administration building at 180 Broadway.
City planner Lee Poulliot told the council the proposed scope is a materials assessment and lab testing to identify asbestos-containing materials, lead-based paint and other suspect contaminants so potential developers can prepare realistic redevelopment budgets. "This project ... is really to do an assessment and the lab testing of materials that are suspect," Poulliot said, adding the report will estimate quantities and removal costs to include in any future RFP.
Councilors asked whether the city would still need 180 Broadway for temporary storage during City Hall renovations. Poulliot said even if the property is placed on the market, redevelopment could take two to three years; in the short term the city plans to use space in the building for storage while phase-two city-hall renovation proceeds.
Poulliot told the council he would sign a contract with Beta Group and hoped work would begin within two to three weeks after council appropriation. The council approved the appropriation on the mayor's recommendation.
Ending: The testing is intended to give prospective developers a clear, quantified picture of removal costs before an RFP; councilors said they expect the results to inform any future sale and redevelopment plan.
