Demolition of the Citizens Bank Building Underway in Jonesboro

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News Summary

The historical Citizens Bank Building demolition in Jonesboro is underway, prioritizing safety amid asbestos concerns with a comprehensive safety protocol.

Demolition of the Citizens Bank Building Underway in Jonesboro: Ensuring Safety Amidst Asbestos Concerns

In downtown Jonesboro, the demolition of the historic Citizens Bank Building is currently taking place, with an acute emphasis on asbestos management. Crews have been mobilized to ensure the safety of the public and the environment while tackling the known presence of asbestos in the building. This comprehensive demolition effort is designed to mitigate health risks associated with asbestos exposure, which has long been a concern for towns and cities across the U.S.

As part of the demolition protocol, workers are utilizing hundreds of gallons of water to keep the air clear of harmful asbestos particles. The building is said to contain the expected amount of asbestos for a structure of its age, with ceiling tiles and spray-on acoustic treatments identified as the primary sources of asbestos material. Notably, there are two types of asbestos being handled during this operation: friable and non-friable, both of which necessitate careful handling and removal strategies.

Strategic Safety Measures and Monitoring

In an effort to ensure compliance with health safety standards, an asbestos-certified engineer has devised a robust safety plan for the removal of materials containing asbestos. This plan has received approval from the Arkansas Division of Environmental Quality, setting a high standard for the demolition process. To contain asbestos dust, crews are strategically spraying water on areas known to contain asbestos materials, effectively entrapping them for safe collection and removal. The collected asbestos is then loaded into dump trucks and safely transported to landfills, ensuring that daily operations include the transportation of covered debris to minimize health risks.

While the demolition process continues, environmental engineers are on-site to monitor air quality, performing tests to check for asbestos particle levels. Encouragingly, as of now, no tests have revealed asbestos particle levels exceeding safety limits, indicating the effectiveness of the measures being implemented.

Project Background and Costs

The Citizens Bank Building’s demolition was sanctioned by the Jonesboro City Council, which chose Nabholz Construction for the project. The city has approved the allocation of up to $3.25 million from the City’s American Rescue Plan Act funds to cover the costs associated with this extensive demolition effort. Notably, the cost of the project could fluctuate depending on the chosen demolition method or any unexpected complications that may arise during the process.

Following safety assessments, the city issued a condemnation notice for the building, leading to a formal vote for condemnation. Property owners did not contest this decision within the stipulated 30-day period. The specific demolition method has not yet been definitively established; options include a wet demolition approach or a prior abatement of asbestos-containing materials followed by traditional demolition. The wet demolition method is estimated to span 10-12 weeks, while abatement followed by demolition could extend the project timeline by an additional 8-12 weeks and incur an extra cost of approximately $650,000.

Impact on Local Traffic and Ongoing Legal Matters

As demolition progresses, traffic routes near the site are expected to be affected, with an estimated 20 truckloads of debris being transported daily. The work is scheduled to occur six to seven days a week, weather permitting, which will inevitably lead to increased noise, dust, and general disruption in the vicinity. Air quality will continue to be monitored by a subcontracted contractor throughout the demolition process.

Interestingly, the legal ownership of the Citizens Bank Building is currently under dispute in the Craighead County Circuit Court. Despite this legal contention, it has no bearing on the city’s plans for demolition. The building itself, constructed approximately 70 years ago, has been the subject of discussions regarding ownership and potential lease violations, with a trial regarding these issues set for March. Parts of Main Street have remained closed since September due to safety concerns prompted by the condition of the building.

Mayor Harold Copenhaver has strongly emphasized the importance of adhering to legal protocols throughout the condemnation and demolition process. In light of these developments, the city’s engineering and communications departments plan to provide weekly updates on demolition progress, keeping the community informed on the ongoing efforts to ensure safety and compliance.