Council to discuss demolition bids

MT. VERNON The city council will hear bid results for the demolition of Horace Mann School during its meeting tonight.

The council approved seeking bids for the demolition of the former grade school in February. Bid specifications include the abatement of friable asbestos and black mold.

The school was deeded to the city for $1 in 2002 after the consolidation of District 80 schools into the Primary Center, J.L. Buford Intermediate Center and Casey Middle School.

The facility, under the ownership of the city, was used as a community center, with several fundraisers held under its roof and as a meeting place for the Heartland Young Marines. In addition, the building was used as a storage facility for the city.

In 2009, the city had to close the facility to the public after finding black mold. An environmental report released last year indicated the building not only has black mold, but friable asbestos, which is asbestos that is more easily released into the air and requires specific abatement procedures during demolition under Illinois Environmental Protection Agency guidelines.

Once plans for the building demolition were finalized, city officials and officials from Mt. Vernon City Schools District 80 toured the facility so any momentos could be salvaged prior to demolition.

In other business, the council will:

Hear bid results for the demolition of five residential homes;

Hold a second reading on an ordinance to revise the liquor ordinances to allow for alcoholic liquor sales under the winery license;

Hold a second reading on the transfer of surplus property;

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Council to discuss demolition bids