A Long Island community is attempting to rid its town of a long-time eyesore, but has had trouble lining up a contractor to remove asbestos from the property at an affordable price.
According to Riverheadlocal.com, the town of Riverhead will solicit bids for the third time to award a contract for asbestos abatement at the former Weeping Willow motel. The town hopes to demolish the structure and develop the land as part of a riverfront greenbelt.
Asbestos removal frequently is done ahead of demolition to prevent fibers of the hazardous mineral from becoming airborne and causing a health danger to anyone in the vicinity. Asbestos exposure is linked to lung cancer, malignant mesothelioma and asbestosis and has been the focus of many asbestos settlements and mesothelioma lawsuits.
The West Main Street property was purchased by the town last year for $1.2 million, the community website reported.
The New York state Community Preservation Fund provided $500,000 toward the purchase price because the site is one of 150 parcels in the Wading River corridor that the state has identified as environmentally significant. The preservation fund is funded by the collection of 2-percent taxes on land transfers in local communities.
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