Sunday, May 19, 2024
Gatesville residents who live near the old Rotunda Nursing Home, located at 2525 Osage Road, have received good news — demolition of the structure and removal of debris is expected to start in mid-July. And, apart from any weather delays, the work should be completed by the end of July.
A public healing/town hall meeting provided information on the upcoming demolition process for the building.
The meeting was held on June 22 and offered details on plans to demolish the dilapidated structure and clean up the property, which has been abandoned since 2000, and was acquired by the city of Gatesville through a tax foreclosure in 2008. The property, which has been identified as a public health hazard in danger of collapse as well as being an eyesore, will be demolished by RDNI Companies of Rockwall. RDNI has conducted several asbestos abatements and demolitions of old schools and other properties in the Dallas area.
Because of the cost involved, it has been a long process to eliminate the building. In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) performed an environmental assessment which determined the presence of asbestos.
The city funded a portion of demolition and asbestos abatement in 2014 and 2015, but a lack of funding has delayed completion of demolition. On May 9, the Gatesville City Council awarded a $176,636 contract to RDNI to complete work on the site. An EPA Brownfield Cleanup grant will fund 80% of the work, with the city set to pay the remaining cost.
Once the site has been cleared, it has been identified as a possible location for a new Gatesville Police Department.
Diana Cross, the contractor in charge of the demolition, said every effort will be made to secure the safety of nearby residents during the demolition and cleanup. The process will be done through a wet demolition, meaning a steady stream of mist will be part of the operation in order to ensure that dust and small particles from the work do not carry over to nearby property.
The demolition process will be overseen by John McRae, an environmental consultant with Baer Engineering & Environmental Consulting. He said the air will be closely monitored during the process to ensure no harmful particles impact area property.
Cross is a civil engineer with more than 27 years’ experience.
"Every year we do demolitions and asbestos cleanup, and we work closely with the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) and TCEQ (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality)," Cross said. "We're not new kids on the block. We recently completed a similar project in South Dallas for the city of Dallas.
"This building (in Gatesville) is definitely a priority for all of you. It's a nest not only for crime but animals have been seen there. I think it is wonderful to get this done safely and in the proper way."
Asked how long the project will take, Cross said it should be completed in five to 10 days, depending on the weather and accessibility of the landfill taking materials. She said removal of overgrown vegetation in the area will not be part of that 5–10-day time frame.
"We're really excited about getting this done," McRae said. "We're a small environmental firm whose clients include the city of Austin, Apple, Tesla and Oracle. We definitely know what we need to do to make sure everything stays in compliance. We've got specifications RNDI will adhere to for environmental impact and safety.
"I've been doing this for about 16 years so this is not my first rodeo, either, when it comes to building demolitions. I previously worked for NASA's Johnson Space Center and was involved with 27 demolitions there. Ultimately, everything demolished will be removed and (2525 Osage) will be a wonderful location."
City Manager Scott Albert praised the efforts of the city staff and former city manager Bill Parry for putting together the team that will carry out the demolition and cleanup.
He noted that there had been six or seven attempts to secure grant funding to complete the demolition before the city was finally awarded an EPA grant.
"I'm excited. I know a lot of people want to see this building taken down and it's going to be down, hopefully by the end of July," Albert said.
Cross said the emphasis is on removing the danger to the public that the building presents. The scope of work for RNDI does not include removal of the concrete slab. However, Albert said the city might negotiate with RNDI depending on the Gatesville City Council's wishes to see that the slab is also removed.
"Once the work is complete, the property will be super nice like the lot next door," Cross said.
Julie Hudson, director of the Gatesville Boys & Girls Club, said that the club is about a block and a half away from the Rotunda site and that children often ride their bikes there. She asked about safety precautions while work is being done.
"We'll make sure we secure it," Albert said. "I'll talk to the Chief (Brad Hunt) about adding additional patrols."
McRae said Baer Engineering will have someone on site dedicated to monitoring "all fugitive emissions — which we don't expect hardly any. One of their (RNDI's) employees will constantly spray water on all that dust. An onsite air monitor will collect all particulate dust, and we'll be able to capture dust."
One of those attending the meeting said she had a lung condition and that she could leave the area and stay in Temple while work was being done if she was notified in advance.
Albert said he will notify the residents if they provide him with contact information, and that signs will be posted, and the city website will be updated to alert people of impending work at the site. There is also a possibility of issuing a Code Red alert to notify neighborhood residents before work begins.
Another area resident asked if Animal Control will go in and make sure that snakes and rats that reside in the structure will be captured or eliminated so they do not escape into the surrounding neighborhood when work begins.
"There are huge rats living there (at the Rotunda) and that's a concern to the neighbors," the resident said.
Albert said he will talk to Chief Hunt about that and determine whether the city will take care of that concern or hire someone else to do the work.
"We definitely don't want them (rats and snakes) running all over the neighborhood," he said.
Another resident asked about the potential of water runoff from the demolition site affecting area properties.
"It won't be a concentrated deluge of water, but a steady spray," McRae said. "Runoff is not anticipated. It will be a mist instead of a stream of water. If there is a freak rain event during the demolition, everything will get diluted and washed away and there will be essentially no impact (to the nearby environment)."
One neighbor said she has cattle and deer living nearby and asked if they should be removed before demolition.
"No, especially with our environmental controls," McRae said. "I have a degree in veterinary medicine, and I know a thing or two about that. Engineering controls will control that aspect."
Cross said the asbestos on site will be contained so that it will not pose any hazard to surrounding areas and residents to prevent any materials from dispersing.
"How much dust and commotion will it create when you bulldoze the building?" a neighbor asked.
"There will be dust — we can't do anything about that," Cross said. "Whenever anything comes down there is dust. We have to control it with water, so it won't go very far."
Another neighbor asked what will happen if it is determined that air quality is a concern during monitoring of the work.
"We will issue a stop work action and re-evaluate specifications to determine how to stop problems and determine how to better control emissions in a more effective manner," McRae said.
