Demolition bid for old health department building

Published: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 10:57 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, June 17, 2014 at 10:58 p.m.

The demolition phase at the old health department building on the grounds of the Etowah County Courthouse will need to be bid separately.

The Etowah County Commission on Tuesday approved an agreement with Craig Lipscomb Architect LLC for the demolition phase of the renovations.

The original plan was to figure the demolition in with the renovation cost, but it was necessary to bid it separately, Patrick Simms, chief administrative officer of the Etowah County Commission, said.

Simms said the demolition phase is expected to cost between $65,000 and $70,000, with asbestos removal to account for about $25,000 of the cost.

Once demolition is done, the renovation project will be bid. It is expected to cost about $600,000.

Simms in August told the commission that the Alabama Department of Public Safety wants to move the Glencoe drivers license office to the building.

The 5,000-square-foot building has been vacant since the health department was moved to East Gadsden several years ago. Some areas have been used for storage, but the building is not open for public use.

There have been discussions about renovations and what the building can be used for, but last year it was mentioned as a possible new site for the Alabama Department of Public Safetys drivers license office and State Trooper post.

Simms said one of the issues is the amount the Alabama Department of Public Safety can pay to lease the space.

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Demolition bid for old health department building