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Lamar council approves $23,000 asbestos survey for Centennial Building
Summary
The city approved a services agreement with EOC Environmental Group to perform an asbestos survey at the Centennial Building, with staff citing previous 2012 testing and preliminary abatement and demolition cost estimates.
The Lamar City Council on Feb. 4 approved a services agreement with EOC Environmental Group to conduct an asbestos survey of the Centennial Building at 1140 Third Avenue Southeast at a cost of $23,000.
City staff told the council a 2012 asbestos survey had identified asbestos in the building and that the city sold the property in 2012 and repurchased it in 2024. Staff said surveys older than a year are not considered valid by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and that the IDNR reviews cases on a case-by-case basis. Administration recommended the city approve the new survey and then pursue asbestos removal and demolition soon after, if necessary.
During discussion council members and staff described preliminary cost estimates that staff had gathered: an asbestos-abatement estimate reported in the meeting was $242,000, and a demolition estimate was stated as $200,000. Staff also said the Centennial property lies within the city’s Highway 75 Bypass urban renewal area and could be eligible for TIF reimbursement if the urban renewal plan is amended; costs would need to be certified by Dec. 1, 2026, to be eligible, according to staff statements.
A council member moved to approve the agreement with EOC Environmental Group for the asbestos survey at a stated cost of $23,000; the motion was seconded and the council voted in favor. The transcript records the motion as carried.
