Authority approves professional services agreement to design asbestos-abatement and demolition work

The Hobart City Redevelopment Authority approved a professional-services agreement to prepare design and bidding documents for asbestos abatement and demolition work at an inactive facility. The motion to engage the consultant for professional services was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded.

Jeff, identified in the meeting as a representative of Americo, said inspectors found asbestos and that the consultant’s proposal covers project design, bid documents and project management to ensure regulatory compliance during abatement. He cautioned that soil remediation outside the building is an area of uncertainty that could affect total project cost. “There is some damage to asbestos on the ground… So that’s one of the big unknowns of that price estimate, was just the soil,” Jeff said.

Board members and staff noted that any agreement will follow district standard professional-services formats and that the consultant will coordinate sampling and bidding so the district receives a complete procurement package. The board approved moving forward with design and bidding documents; staff said the contractor will manage regulatory sampling and prepare the packet so the district can solicit qualified contractors.

Next steps: staff will finalize a standard professional-services contract with Americo, proceed with sampling and design, and return a construction procurement packet to the board for action.