Library demolition could continue on Friday

After months of waiting, the site of the old Parmly BillingsLibrary building could transform from a post-apocalyptic frame to bustling work site as early as Friday.

Permits issued by the Montana State Department of Environmental Quality will allow Safetech, Inc., the asbestos abatement contractor, to get back to work removing piles of rubble contaminated with asbestos sitting on the site.

"They submitted their demolition permit," said Lisa Peterson, public information officer for the Department of Environmental Quality. "That goes into effect on June 27."

Workers wearing hazardous materials suits will use lined trucks to take away the existing rubble, along with the newly identified material that contains asbestos. After that, they will notify DEQ and the agency will reinstate the demolition notification, which means crews can continue to raze the building.

"They will contact us to bring it out of suspension when theyre ready to start demolishing in new areas," Petersonsaid.

The project has been stagnant for about a month, as the inspector, contractor, library and DEQ make sure items are tested and rubble on the site stays moist to prevent dust potentially laced with asbestos from blowing off.

The snags will require extra time and money to finish the project, but how much is still unclear,said Bill Cochran, Billings Public Library director."At this point I dont have any valid number."

He acknowledges the extra work will increase the new library's $20 million price tag.

The library will pay for the project with unobligated library cash reserves while details are sorted out. Who will ultimately pay those costs is still up for debate.

"I am not willing to acknowledge that the library has to pay all or any of those costs until we understand who did what and when," Cochransaid.

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Library demolition could continue on Friday