Board hears warnings of severe water, HVAC and structural damage; demolition and asbestos work planned for county campus
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Summary
Property staff reported repeated pipe breaks and water losses at the campus 'copper top' building, large plumbing and heating failures across county buildings and a quote to replace an aging courthouse generator; staff told supervisors they are preparing asbestos testing and a publicly advertised demolition RFP for several campus buildings.
Property management told the Richland County Board on Feb. 12 that multiple county-owned buildings face extensive mechanical failures and that the county is preparing for asbestos abatement and possible demolition.
The property manager reported repeated leaks and pipe breaks at the copper top building, saying staff had to shut the water off after detecting losses estimated at about 9,000 gallons per day and roughly 100,000 gallons lost in January. "We shut it down while the day of configuration committee meeting," the property manager said, and recommended placing the building in cold storage and draining boilers while specialists complete asbestos sampling.
The manager also described a failing grinder pump at the fairgrounds — "one of the two pumps is shot" — and an aging courthouse generator with oil leaks and radiator corrosion. He said a vendor provided a budgetary quote "between 70 and 80,000 to replace that generator" and that staff are gathering competitive bids and service-contract options.
Board members asked whether portions of campus buildings could be salvaged. Staff said the copper top is integrated with adjacent structures in ways that make partial salvage impractical, and that HVAC, plumbing and heating systems would require wholesale replacement. "There's no way to separate that building from the theater," the property manager said, noting mold and extensive system failures.
Agency staff briefed supervisors on a tentative seven-month timeline for abatement and demolition for identified structures (student building, science building and library) pending completion of asbestos testing, development of an RFP and public bidding. The county plans to advertise the demolition contract publicly and use a consultant to develop the RFP and run the selection process.
The board heard differing cost estimates for full rehabilitation; one supervisor cited an engineering estimate in the millions, saying it could run "7 or $9,000,000" to make some buildings practical again. Staff framed the decision as balancing demolition costs and the practicality of redevelopment, noting that developers may be expected to provide new electrical service if a building remains a redevelopment candidate.
Next steps: staff will provide written cost estimates, vendor quotes and the RFP timeline once asbestos sampling and utility isolation plans are complete. The board will consider bids and a demolition contract in a future meeting.