Asbestos uncovered in Tarentum structures set for demolition will increase cost of work

The good news for Tarentum residents is that four hazardous homes and a dilapidated commercial building are expected to be demolished by January.

The bad news is that the cost of the demolitions just jumped after asbestos was uncovered in all of them.

“It will be costly,” Code Enforcement Officer Anthony Bruni said.

He is collecting bids for the work.

Tarentum already paid $2,820 for the residential demolition asbestos surveys and $850 for the Corbet Street building assessment.

Cost for the abatement permits will be nearly another $1,800. Allegheny County charges $350 each.

“It’s unfortunate but we have to remove it before they come down,” Bruni said.

The retail building at 215 Corbet St. was purchased by the borough for $90,000 this summer. Council wants to raze the building to realign the street and open up the 1,500-square-foot property for parking, benches and greenery.

Council President Scott Dadowski was hoping the two-story former corner market would be gone in time for the borough’s holiday parade, but Bruni said it will be a task just to get rid of it by January.

He said pest control baiting is necessary.

“We have to have that in check,” he said. “We don’t want to unleash anything onto the street.”

The residential demolitions, part of the borough’s anti-blight effort, were whittled from an initial list of 10.

They include:

• 110 West 11th Ave.;

• 338 West 10th Ave. in the rear;

• 1219 Pitcairn Ave.;

• and 505-507 East Eighth Ave.

Bruni said all are slated for imminent demolition but will have to undergo asbestos abatement prior to the work.

“We’re going to try to get them down before the first of the year, but it all depends on permits at this point,” he said.