Renovations of South Orange, NJ Firehouse Complicated By Asbestos Remediation

When renovations to the firehouse in South Orange, NJ were begun seven years ago, both village executives and the fire department anticipated the project would take about 18 months. Completion of the project was delayed for a number of reasons, including asbestos remediation at the building.

When asbestos was found in the building’s walls and ceilings, the firehouse was gutted, adding an additional $700,000 to the project’s budget. Other delays caused concern to the firefighters, village officials and residents, such as costs associated with temporary housing for the firefighters.

Other unanticipated project costs included the need to properly shelter the department’s truck fleet during the duration of the project. Because of the specialized equipment on the trucks, the vehicles are particularly susceptible to weather-related wear and tear. Problems with the fleet’s equipment are likely to occur both during extended heat spells the tri-state area encounters each summer, as well as protecting the fleet from the effects of snow, snow, ice and corrosive salts used to treat area roads during the winter.

The project total cost was $3.93 million, which included $779,000 in grants the village obtained from New Jersey agencies such as the New Jersey Historic Trust and the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

The department was issued a temporary certificate of occupancy on July 8, 2009, and the fire department was expected to move back into the building on July 20, 2009.

Exposure to asbestos is known to cause serious illnesses such as mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer or asbestosis.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos illness, contact our lawyers today for a free review of your case. A Weitz & Luxenberg representative will contact you as soon as possible.