Pat Guth contributes news and insightful content for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance. Bio »
July 01, 2012
Chicago, Illinois - When the last person moves out of the Tinley Park Mental Health Center on July 1, village officials in this fast-growing area of Chicago aren't sure what's going to happen to the complex which they say is old, dilapidated, and filled with asbestos.
According to an article on the Tinley Park Patch, Mayor Ed Zabrocki says the facility will soon be up for grabs, and while he once had dozens of letters of interest about the complex and its redevelopment, no one seems to want it anymore.
"Back in '04-'05, when this first came in line that this might be up for sale, I probably got 70, 75 letters from different developers all over the country," he said, including one from a 4-year university that was interest in developing the 275-acre site. "When it finally reached the point over the last two years where it was going to close … I got zero letters."
Zabrocki says high Chicago taxes are one culprit but believes that the real concern is the fact that the buildings are filled with asbestos. Hence, asbestos removal must be addressed before anything else can happen, and that's a long, expensive process with which many previously interested buyers don't want to deal.
Zabrocki referred to the site as an "asbestos-filled nightmare" and certainly understands why potential buyers are avoiding it at all costs. "All [the buildings] are wrapped in asbestos," Zabrocki said. "(They) will have to get (torn) down and I think all of us have had experience one time or another to know what's involved in removing a building that's filled with asbestos."
In addition to the asbestos-containing ceiling tiles and floor tile, there are miles of underground tunnels on the property that connect various buildings and they contain steam and water pipes that are wrapped in asbestos insulation.
All asbestos must be removed before demolition can occur and must be handled according to state and federal laws. Improper handling of asbestos can result in airborne fibers circulating through the air, where they can be inhaled. Such asbestos exposure can cause the development of diseases such as mesothelioma cancer.
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