JFK building demolition on top of list

ELY Rising demolition costs, increased vandalism and continuing deterioration of the JFK School building are factors School Board members considered this week in prioritizing upcoming facilities projects.

The School Board has committed $150,000 of the $1 million in taconite production tax funds they received last year as seed money to apply for grant money from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board for asbestos abatement and demolition costs of the vacant building.

Chris Ismil, IRRRB community development representative, met with the board in a facilities committee meeting Tuesday and urged them to get more skin in the game and show a more financial commitment to raze the building.

The cost to demolish the JFK building is estimated to be about $600,000, including some $230,000 to remove the asbestos in the unused school.

An asbestos abatement expert will inspect the campus next week to provide a clearer picture of the cost for removal, according to Superintendent Alexis Leitgeb. She said the cost of the removal could be covered under the health and safety levy. Facilities manager Jeff Jankowski noted that asbestos, mold and even lead paint removal are covered under that portion of the levy.

Ismil indicated that the maximum IRRRB grant money available for commercial demolition is $200,000. Getting good sound estimates is really important, he said. Lets assume that the cost is $600,000. My first question is what is the commitment from the district? We do know that cost could be $800,000 in a couple of years. The longer you let that go, the costs are only going to increase.

He said the board needs to make the decision to put the JFK building demolition at the top of the list for facilities projects. The board has made the decision to put a new roof on the Washington Elementary building at a $500,000 cost.

The connecting wall is falling apart, Leitgeb said about the common wall between the vacant building and the elementary school.

And over the weekend, on Sunday night, we did have a break-in at the JFK, she said. A door was smashed and a window was broken. There was broken glass found by the building near the playground that was reported by a parent Monday morning she said. Nothing was vandalized inside. Beer cans were found outside. It is becoming a focus. People know that its not monitored. I took a walk around it today and it is really starting to look like a blighted area.

Jankowski said the building is regularly inspected. We did a walk through Sunday morning, he said. The incident apparently happened Sunday night.

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JFK building demolition on top of list