Polk County outlines demolition plan for old high school; MPCA backs brick reuse but asbestos oversight required

County staff briefed the Polk County Board on demolition planning for a county-owned section of the old high school, highlighting opportunities to repurpose clean brick and the need for asbestos oversight.

Staff reported meeting with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff on site to discuss staging areas at the county landfill where clean brick could be stockpiled and reused as road base over a roughly three-year staging period. "Our goal is to try to reclaim as much clean brick material as possible to base up roads at our landfill," staff said, and MPCA staff indicated repurposing and reuse are high priorities.

The county will need to put an RFP out for a contractor specializing in demolition with on-site asbestos supervision, staff said. There are known materials of concern (pipe wrap, boiler wrap, HVAC insulation) that will require wet methods and containment to limit airborne dust during teardown. Staff also said liability coverage through MCIT has been extended for some private-property claims tied to the building collapse, and the county will protect private-adjacent businesses when performing demolition.

Staff said they obtained original blueprints for a 1950s addition and will work with the Heritage Center to refine RFP specifications. Board members asked about which parts of the building would be demolished and how to avoid disturbing privately owned sections; staff said the intent is to demolish only the county-owned, tax-forfeit portion while preserving private operations adjacent to the structure.

Next steps are finalizing the RFP packet and issuing it to contractors for bids; staff projected targeting demolition work this year, contingent on RFP responses and asbestos abatement planning.