Mold and moisture force Peachtree City Police to move

[Guest guest]

Mold and moisture force Peachtree City Police to move

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Atlanta, GA*

By KATHY JEFCOATS

Published on: 09/06/07

http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/fayette/stories/2007/09/06/ptc

police_0907_web.html

Mold and moisture problems at the Peachtree City Police Department

building are forcing officers to relocate and will take about nine

months to fix, officials said Thursday.

While contractors work on the building, the department will relocate

next month to North Commerce Drive into a facility that formerly

housed a gym. The City Council approved a nine-month lease on the

property on Aug. 16, city spokeswoman Betsy Tyler said.

The council will open bids for the expected $880,000 renovation

project Oct. 4, she said.

Contractors will have to rip out and replace ceiling tiles and

flooring throughout the building, she said, and reroute and

supplement the HVAC system.

" It's a whole lot better to not have the police department there

while they are doing it, " Tyler said.

Although the building is only 6 years old, taxpayers will pay for

the work — and the $112,000 lease.

" Because of the age of the building and a review of the contracts

and warranties, the obligation of the original builder is not

there, " Tyler said. " Council plans to continue to pursue options,

but we're not seeing recourse in the contracts. "

Peachtree City police Chief Jim Murray said through a spokeswoman

that his staff has been affected by the mold but declined to be more

specific because of medical privacy laws.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in Atlanta, says

exposure to mold can cause nasal stuffiness, eye irritation,

wheezing or skin irritation. People with serious mold allergies may

experience a more severe reaction.

Prolonged exposure can cause mold infections in the lungs of someone

already battling chronic lung illnesses, according to the CDC.

Tyler said officials discovered two reasons for the increased

moisture.

" The curing process for the foundation was not done right, " she

said. " Moisture leaches in and holds and is deteriorating the

sealant, which should keep moisture out. "

The second issue involves the heating, ventilation and air

conditioning system, she said.

" It was not designed to handle air properly to remove humidity, "

Tyler said.

Moving the police department will take about a month, she said.

Murray said service to the public will not be affected.