Lebanon council authorizes up to $100,000 from food & beverage fund for demolition of former street‑department garage

Lebanon City Council voted Nov. 10 to authorize staff to solicit sealed quotes and to use up to $100,000 from the city’s food and beverage fund to demolish structures and foundations at the former street‑department garage.

City project manager Kevin Krulich clarified the item is a solicitation and that a contractor has not yet been selected. He said environmental work has been completed: the city has approved Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental site assessments and a soil‑management plan. Krulich said contamination is primarily oil and gas residues from historic construction‑site use and that contaminated areas will be contained in the final site design rather than removed. “The only other environmental restrictions would be that we couldn’t allow residential uses on the property and we couldn’t install any groundwater wells,” he said.

Questions from council focused on budget and timing. The clerk reported the food and beverage fund balance at approximately $1,200,000 and staff said the current year appropriation balance remained over $300,000; the city expects demolition to take roughly 50–60 days once a contractor is selected. Board of Works will act as the contracting authority to receive sealed quotes and recommend a contractor.

Council approved the authorization and funding by voice vote. Staff said they will return with quotes and a contractor recommendation for Board of Works approval before encumbering funds and proceeding with demolition.