Asbestos discovery delays city's planned purchase of a property

Geneva, OH - A $12,000 obstacle has reared its ugly head at a property the city had been planning to purchase to convert into a parking lot .

Safety officials say the property at 53 East Main Street, which the city planned to buy and raze to make way for much needed parking in the area, contains asbestos that would need to be abated before demolition work can begin. The city was first quoted $30,000 by one asbestos removing company but found a lower estimate of $12,000 after shopping around.

The deadly, cancer-causing mineral was discovered during the inspection performed before the purchase was finalized. Asbestos, used for thermal insulation due to its heat resistant properties, is common for buildings built or renovated before 2000. The material was banned in the United States and over 70 countries worldwide after scientific studies confirmed that it was responsible for causing the development of serious diseases, notably the lethal lung cancer mesothelioma. The ban was later lifted in the United States and asbestos continues in use today.

A city official said a significant amount of asbestos was found in the property's ceiling drywall. The other half of the building, the property at 51 East Main Street, had tested negative for asbestos earlier in the buying process.

Officials in charge of the purchase said they will ask the building's owner to reduce the property's original sale price by $12,000 to account for the asbestos removal work that needed to be done. There is no indication on whether the deal will go through if the proposal is rejected.

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