The Elkhart City Redevelopment Commission on Oct. 14 approved employment of Specialty Systems of South Bend Inc. to perform asbestos abatement at 138 West Hively Avenue, Suite 1 (Woodland Crossing Shopping Center) at a not-to-exceed price of $8,420, with the appropriation to come from the Woodland Crossing operating fund.

Staff said the abatement work will prepare the suite for demolition and redevelopment and that it is part of the broader Woodland Crossing project for which the design-build contract was awarded earlier in the meeting.

"This is 138 West Hively Suite 1 in Woodland Crossing Shopping Center. This site, we're removing the asbestos in that site to prepare for further, demolition and redevelopment," a staff member said. The motion to approve the contract and appropriation passed by voice vote.

Staff later said they would review other bids and compare costs with the city’s vendor on contract for similar work.