The stage is set for the demolition of 14 properties on the block north of the courthouse where a law enforcement center will be constructed.
The Oconto County Board on Thursday selected Statewide Razing, of Combined Locks, to remove the properties at a cost of just under $150,000. Statewide Razing will be responsible for the demolition of the buildings and cleanup afterward.
Two properties, at 226 and 238 Jefferson St., will be used by the Oconto Fire Department for a training exercise and will be burned down. Statewide Razing will be responsible for cleanup at these sites after burning.
Seven companies submitted bids for the demolition, including two from Oconto County. Statewide Razing submitted the low bid. Refuse from the site will be processed at Landfill Reduction and Recycling, of Appleton, which recycles construction materials by processing them and marketing them for new uses.
The county originally planned to use highway department equipment and employees to complete the demolition, but changed course when Patrick Scanlan, head of the highway department, estimated it would cost $265,000 for the service.
In addition, the demolition is scheduled to take place in May, when the highway department is busy starting its road projects.
“It’s going to save us money and save us time and let Pat do his highway work,” said Administrative Coordinator Kevin Hamann, explaining why the county contracted with an outside source.
The demolition project will align with the hazardous material removal process, which was scheduled to begin Tuesday. The County Board selected Wisconsin Asbestos Removal & Demolition, of Berlin, to remove the hazardous materials at the properties before they are demolished.
The County Board disregarded the three lowest bids for hazardous materials removal because the bids did not include the removal of lead-based paint. Instead, the board accepted the fourth lowest bid of $45,000 submitted by Wisconsin Asbestos Removal & Demolition.
Hamann said the owner of Wisconsin Asbestos Removal & Demolition visited the site and went inside several homes.
“He discussed the proposal. He understood this very well,” Hamann said. “The other ones did not even contact me about it, they just bid based on what they wanted to do, which was just remove the asbestos.”
Two of the 14 buildings did not have asbestos: a recently constructed home in which NEWCAP clients lived and a garage at another property.
Consultant Kurt Berner, of the Samuel’s Group, said Statewide Razing intends to grind some of the building materials it collects in the demolition process. If the material can be ground finely enough, less hazardous materials abatement will be necessary, he said.
Categories
