Austin Minnesota Fire Site Getting Asbestos Remediation

On January 15, a fire ravaged downtown Austin, Minnesota buildings, including several businesses and apartments.

It was one of the biggest in Austin's history, and firefighters from Austin, Albert Lea, Blooming Prairie, Brownsdale and Rose Creek fought it in sub-zero temperatures, but failed to save most, including the two-story, turn-of-the-century brown brick building that housed Mi Tierra, a restaurant and grocery with an adjacent clothing store.

The fire, which started shortly before 4 p.m., caused over a million dollars in damage and left the historic brick building nothing more than a burned-out shell. Firefighters worked for more than five hours putting it out, and investigators now believe the fire was set. The city is offering a $2,500 reward for information.

The fire was the second for Mi Tierra; the first occurred during the summer in the grocery part and was contained. The situation is otherwise unremarkable, except for the fact that the Austin City Council is only now awarding asbestos cleanup bids, and the winner - entered Monday, August 3 - is to Austin-based Abestrol, Inc., for $9,999. The winning demolition bid, after the asbestos is cleaned up, is for $107,600 to BCM Construction.

Austin residents have been concerned for months that wind and rain may be spreading asbestos contamination from the fire site all over the city. Their concerns are legitimate. Asbestos fibers, released from broken or damaged asbestos-containing materials like insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, and tile adhesives and mastics (all of which were commonly used up until about 1970, and were certainly present in the Mi Tierra structure), can cause asbestos-related diseases ranging in severity from asbestosis to malignant mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the mesothelial lining of the lungs and abdomen that can lie dormant for decades and, once diagnosed, generally results in a prognosis of less than 18 months to live because of its extensive invasion of vital organs.

Councilwoman Marian Clennon abstained on both votes, saying she didn't feel enough information had been provided by the city's public works department regarding the bids - a problem she cites as "ongoing". Certainly a delay of more than seven months (asbestos abatement will begin August 24) indicates some type of communication or organizational problem.

According to some officials, the problem has arisen from Mi Tierra owner Maria Leon's inability to clean up the site, which the city had designated "hazardous", because she didn't have the money, presumably as a result of an inadequate or expired commercial building policy, since a local American Family commercial lines agent assures that most comprehensive building insurance policies cover asbestos remediation in this circumstance.

The city's taking over the asbestos remediation, in a settlement dated June 23, allows it to proceed with remediation and later deflect the costs to Leon, who - according to the terms of the settlement - is allowed to review and approve bids and costs as they are presented.

City engineer Jon Erichson noted on Monday that Leon had been made aware of the bid details but had not indicated her approval or denial, either verbally or otherwise. Nonetheless, City Attorney David Hoversten said the project could legally proceed, with final demolition completed by October 2 and the lot leveled and planted with grass, making it suitable for rebuilding. The debris will be taken to a landfill.

Sources: Austin Daily Herald, Post-Bulletin

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