ASBESTOS IN PIPES STALLS CHURCH PLAN

Asbestos in the pipes at the old Salvation Army building in Cape Girardeau has delayed its demolition and added to the expense of the project.

Tom Holshouser, architect for the new Salvation Army building, is supervising demolition of the old one on South Sprigg Street. He said that process can't begin until test results from Mead Environmental Associated Inc. arrive.

After the tests are back, asbestos contractors will bid on the removal. After the asbestos is removed, another contractor will tear down the old building.

The cost for tests and asbestos removal could run between $30,000 and $50,000.

Salvation Army Capt. Elmer Trapp said the demolition schedule has been delayed about a month.

The asbestos was found in the basement insulation, Trapp said. And while it will cost more, the money will still come out of the budget for the new building and demolition.

The added expense is a necessary condition to razing the building.

"We just found out that any building demolished after January must be tested for asbestos," Holshouser said. "All asbestos must be removed before you can demolish the building."

Once demolition begins, the building could be razed within a week.

"There are some concrete vaults in the building that will have to be jackhammered, but it shouldn't take more than a week," Holshouser said.

The space will be used for a parking lot.

"We expected to have a parking lot by now," Trapp said. "But it's just one of those things we have to work with and then go from there."