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July 13, 2013
Aurora, Colorado - A massive dilapidated structure in downtown Aurora, Colorado will have to remain standing a bit longer before it’s demolished because there’s lots of asbestos in the roof, officials say. The announcement was greeted with groans by locals who were hoping the old Fanfare complex, once a vibrant indoor mall, would soon be a thing of the past.
An article in the Denver Post reports that the complex, which stands in a busy area at East Third Avenue and North Havana Street, includes roofing and insulation materials that are contaminated with large quantities of the toxic material. Though the city has already cleaned up much of the interior and had hoped the wrecking ball could take care of the rest, the discovery of the asbestos in the roof means that the material will need to be addressed in the proper manner before the 118,000-square-foot complex can be totally reduced to rubble.
Colorado state environmental officials note that there needs to be a plan in place to safely encapsulate the asbestos before demolition. The asbestos in the roof area is in bad condition and is crumbling, which means that fibers could be released into the air if the material is handled improperly. When asbestos dust permeates the air, it can be inhaled by anyone working or living in the vicinity and, as a result, those who inhale the fibers could eventually develop a related disease, such as asbestosis or mesothe lioma.
“I’m a little disappointed,” said City Councilwoman Marsha Berzins. “We wanted it down this spring. I know the citizens want it down, and the neighborhood and the businesses around there want it down. But I also understand when you get involved in a project like this, commonly it can take a lot longer than you want it to.”
Unfortunately, the oddly-shaped building has been sitting vacant for nearly 30 years. It’s not only been an eyesore but also a source of tension for the community and also a potential health hazard as well. Once it finally comes down, the area will be cleared for new development.
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