County Courthouse Uncovers Asbestos

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HENDERSON COUNTY UNCOVERS ASBESTOS

By: CASEY KNAUPP, Staff Writer October 02, 2002

The County Courthouse has a " two-fold problem " - commissioners

recently set up bids for remediation of the ongoing mold problem and now

asbestos has cropped up in the nearly 100-year-old building, said

Commissioner Wade McKinney, Precinct 2. (Oct. 3, 2002)

ATHENS - The County Courthouse has a " two-fold problem " -

commissioners recently set up bids for remediation of the ongoing mold

problem and now asbestos has cropped up in the nearly 100-year-old building,

said Commissioner Wade McKinney, Precinct 2.

" With all of the problems, it's beginning to look like we need to do

(renovations) on a grander scale, " he said.

A few weeks ago, a subcontractor from Sherwin began to tear out old

carpet for replacement in 173rd District Judge Jack Holland's office.

Holland said he was going to have carpet re-laid in his office but after

tearing up a small section, the installer immediately discovered what he

thought might be asbestos.

Commissioners had samples sent off and tests came back positive for

asbestos.

" This is not very good coming up on top of the mold problem, " Holland said.

" The commissioners are doing everything they can to deal with the building's

problems. "

The judge's courtroom has been closed for several months because of the

mold, but he has continued to work out of his office. Even the asbestos

finding has not made Holland vacate his office.

" I'm still in my office, " he said. " I don't think it's dangerous unless

you're exposed (to the asbestos). "

The old carpet has tiles underneath that contain 10 percent asbestos and the

glue that holds the tiles to the carpet is made up of 5 percent, McKinney

said.

" At this time, the only area that's been disturbed is (Holland's) office so

we're going to take care of that, " he said. " It's my understanding that if

the asbestos is undisturbed and capsulated, it's not in any violation. "

He said the U.S. Secretary of Interior has strict federal guidelines about

the known carcinogen. If the subcontractor would have continued to move the

carpet after spotting the asbestos, he could have been charged a $55,000

fine for the removal and disposal of a hazardous product.

Holland said the same kind of tile and glue probably exists in other areas

of the building.

The cleanup of his office is estimated to cost about $2,800 and take two to

three days.

Because of the increased population of the county and the commissioners'

heightened demands, they hired Broaddus & Associates from Austin this spring

to perform a complete assessment of the courthouse, as well as the other 11

county buildings, McKinney said. They expect test results back in a few

weeks.

He said a 15-to-20-year plan was sought to help the county adjust, adapt and

grow with the changes.

Commissioners are considering a possible evacuation of the courthouse for

extensive renovations of the entire building.

" With all the problems we're having, it seems to me we're going to have to

take a new direction with the courthouse, " he said. " If that means shutting

it down, then let's shut it down. "

Any renovations made to courthouses have to go through the Texas Historical

Commission and they tend to lean towards historical preservation, McKinney

said.

Holland said he has " been around for a long time " and remembers when he was

a teenager and the uncovered floors were marble. Commissioners are

discussing the possibility of going back to the primitive flooring.

He said commissioners may receive a state grant to " redo " the entire

building, but if they do they would have to restore it to its original form.

" It used to have a n look to it but it's been remodeled a time or

two, " Holland said.

So now the mold remediation has been put on delay until commissioners

receive the assessment tests from Broaddus & Associates and can figure out

the best course of action, McKinney said.

The old air conditioning system and several water leaks are thought to have

caused the mold problem. Commissioners are looking at about $800,000 to

replace the AC system and ducts, he said. If the entire courthouse needs to

be refurbished, it would be pointless to start any remediation now.

" We know we have problems, " McKinney said. " We want to find a way to fix

them with the least expense to taxpayers. I know this is an inconvenience to

many and I appreciate how everyone has worked extremely well with us. I know

frustration levels hit the top with the asbestos discovery. "

He said commissioners have a few ideas floating around but nothing specific

yet on what will be done if the courthouse should be evacuated for

renovation. " We're just waiting for the report. "

Casey Knaupp covers and Van Zandt counties. She can be reached at

903.596.6289. e-mail: news@...

©Tyler Morning Telegraph 2002