HARRISBURG – All the hype local media was giving to the old Gaskins Funeral Home being torn down in mid-December gave way to something that it seemed no one wanted to talk about: Why the demolition was stopped temporarily.
The demolition of the place that, business-wise, was taken down years ago by now-felon John B. Jones (who embezzled money from pre-need funeral payments while a partner in the business 2007-2008), began in earnest on December 17 when Kerry Boatwright’s company, KL Boatwright Excavating, Inc., of Harrisburg, began tearing the structure down. As well the serious sinkhole damage that had been done to the parking lot to the east of the building in recent years was addressed by breaking up the concrete and apparently beginning a fill-in.
Within a short period of time, however, it was discovered that not only was the place riddled with black mold (a southern Illinois specialty), but there was asbestos in floor tile being torn out in pieces, which particulates the asbestos and sends it flying. And considering that the place is located at 109 West Poplar, a little more than a block off the courthouse square in Harrisburg and with businesses to the north, east and west and residences to the south…that was an undesirable situation.
According to sources close to the demolition, it continued unabated, however…until Rick Lane at West End Landfill reportedly voiced concern over the asbestos material being brought out to the facility (which is in part owned by Harrisburg CPA/attorney Robert Wilson).
Because West End, in 2014, was facing EPA issues, it’s reported that Lane didn’t want any of that and the EPA was contacted.
Demolition stalled per EPA edict until some kind of asbestos mitigation was conducted.
However, because the EPA was initially operating with the (mistaken) understanding that the city was doing the demolition work, the situation came to the attention of the city of Harrisburg, and they were made aware that the demolition had gotten underway without an inspection for asbestos (and other hazards) conducted first.
This is a statewide law. How it came to happen with the Gaskins building that no inspection had been conducted first, no one could say.
Disclosure contacted the EPA at the end of December, but of course, with the holidays, no one had returned a call as of press time, January 4.
Regardless, the city was reminded that no commercial building could be demolished without an inspection done first.
This, reportedly, put a crimp in some other demolitions that were being done within the city.
It also came to light that someone should have disclosed the asbestos issue at the point of purchase (the building was sold to Scott and Tammy Segler, owners of Rapunzel’s Hair Salon who plan to open a salon and spa at that location), but for whatever reason, it was not.
The Seglers were planning on reusing the stone front of the building in some capacity in their new construction.
Whether that stone’s been compromised by the environmental hazards of the building, however, remains unknown.
The asbestos mitigation is something of an oddity, too.
Bulldog dumpsters were positioned at the demolition site on New Years, covered over with this tarplike coverings, ostensibly holding hazardous material.
Considering the dangers of both black mold and asbestos, it’s unclear whether or not such a “containment” is legit…as well as effective.
Any subsequent information from the EPA will be featured in upcoming issues or at the website, www.disclosurenewsonline.com.