WHEELING - City Council approved on Tuesday asbestos abatements costing $26,290 at 1118 Main St. and 1121 Market St., leading up to a full demolition of the 1100 block of Main and Market streets expected to cost $693,600.
At its regular meeting, City Manager Robert Herron asked council to push forward the vote, which was originally set to happen Feb. 21.
"I would respectfully request council to do two readings for the asbestos abatements of those two buildings," Herron said. Ordinances are traditionally introduced with a reading at one meeting and then read again at the following meeting, followed by a vote.
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Councilwoman Gloria Delbrugge addresses Wheeling City Council on Tuesday.
Council agreed to the request and all members approved the abatements, to be performed by Raze International of Shadyside.
Dore and Associates Contracting of Bay City, Mich., was the lowest bidder for the demolition at $693,600. Council will vote on the use of the sum at its meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 21 in the Council Chambers, second floor, City-County Building, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling.
Other bidders included Edgco Inc. at $831,600; O'Rourke Wrecking at $854,000; and Advanced Builders with a bid of $1,065,000.
Most of the 1100 block - consisting of four other buildings - was already cleared of asbestos late last year. Council adopted in December the purchase of the two addresses approved for asbestos removal.
Dr. Manny Velez sold the buildings for the city for a combined $105,000. As part of the agreement, the city will compensate up to $160,400 for Velez to continue operations at another location within city limits.
The city, as approved by council, has a total $3.1 million in tax increment financing bonds to spend on demolition, clearing the site and other various projects in the downtown area.
In other business, council hired Alpha Architects and Engineers for $188,500 as the contractor to create a comprehensive analysis and design for the East Wheeling sports field project.
Mayor Andy McKenzie, Vice Mayor Eugene Fahey, and council members Don Atkinson, Gloria Delbrugge, Robert "Herk" Henry and Vernon Seals approved the firm. Councilman James Tiu abstained from the vote because he owned a home nearly taken by eminent domain last month. Assistant City Attorney Gary Sacco announced the sale of Tiu's property was finally closed Friday for $65,000.