Asbestos removal underway at government center

By Edie Johnson
GOSHEN — Big yellow chutes to facilitate asbestos removal have been installed at the Orange County Government Center as a court decides when, or whether, its renovation can continue.

Supreme Court Judge Christopher Cahill of Ulster County said he will decide by July 1 whether to stop work on the building, a move sought by attorney Michael Sussman of Chester. His lawsuit on behalf of three local plaintiffs claims that the project is rife with waste and tainted by collusion, to the detriment of Orange County residents.

The county agreed to Cahill's warning to hold off on work that would damage the building before he announces his decision.

The renovation plan calls for stripping the building down to its posts and beams, replacing most of the iconic exterior block designed by famous architect Paul Rudolph, and building a four-story addition with large spans of glass. Democrats on the legislature have been protesting strongly, saying this much-expanded project is not the one they had agreed to. But they've been in the minority.

Goshen residents say their businesses are suffering while politicians quibble. The government center has been closed since Hurricane Irene struck in 2011.

Chris Viebrock, acting commissioner of the Orange County Department of Public Works, told the Physical Services Committee on Tuesday that half of the "hazmat material" has already been removed from the building. He said Holt Construction, which is supervising the work, is reporting to him regularly, and have found no problems so far. Asbestos is a known carcinogen now mostly outlawed in the United States.

But Sussman's office said test borings taken at the government center show little evidence of asbestos.

Viebrock said the county will invite general contractors to make bids on the project starting in October. He said they're looking for cost savings wherever they can be found to keep with the last quoted estimate of $64 million.

He said the Board of Elections/IT building renovation and move are expected to be complete this month. The historic 1841 Courthouse will not be completely renovated until November or December, he said.