Syracuse, NY School District Explores Options for Funding of Asbestos Removal, Other Repairs, at District Elementary School

The Syracuse City School District is considering a recommendation from an NY state commission to fund asbestos abatement and needed renovations for one of the district’s elementary schools. The Commission’s June 1, 2009 report suggested the district seek a public-private partnership with a development company.

The approximate cost to fund the remediation and renovation at the Blodgett Elementary School is $46 million. In addition to removing asbestos and other needed renovations, work is required to repair the school’s auditorium, which had been condemned.

Under a public-private partnership scenario, the District would seek a developer to lease the building from the city, finance the repairs and oversee renovations. Once complete, the developer would lease the property back to the district. At the conclusion of the partnership leasing arrangement, the district would then retain ownership of the building. The district and state could see a potential savings of at 18 percent on the asbestos remediation and renovation costs.

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