By
Ryan Gabrielson
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Asbestos removal could begin in next few weeks
The University of Arizona is set to begin demolishing Christopher City's empty apartments, pending approval from the Arizona Board of Regents.
The request was added to the agenda of tomorrow's ABOR meeting in Tempe at Arizona State University when UA officials realized that a project of this measure would require board approval, said Joel Valdez, senior vice president for business affairs.
Any project with costs exceeding $1 million must be approved by ABOR. Demolishing Christopher City, 3401 N. Columbus Blvd., will cost the UA about $2.6 million.
While the university's decision to close Christopher City received a lot of opposition from the complex's residents, little argument is expected concerning its demolition, said Regent Chris Herstam.
"This is something that's been planned for a while," Herstam said.
When toxic mold was discovered in several apartments last spring, UA officials first decided they would not renew any leases for the fall 2000 semester.
Then in May, upon receiving test results showing that the mold found in some of the apartments was toxic, UA President Peter Likins decided to close the complex.
UA gave about $1 million to the residents to aid them in relocating, yet several families remained til the official closing date, Aug. 31.
"It's (the demolition) something that needs to start so we can rebuild their housing," said Regent Kay McKay.
Once the demolition is complete, Likins has said the UA will begin the construction of a new graduate family village on the existing site.
The new village would not utilize the entire available space, and UA would then allow a contractor to develop the remaining space.
If the demolition project receives regents' approval, removing the asbestos from the apartments would be the first step.
"The asbestos (removal) gets started after next week," Valdez said.
All demolition work is expected to be completed by May 2001, but Valdez said he isn't sure when all the asbestos will be removed and the structures will begin being torn down.
"There's quite a few units out there," he said.
