The bids for asbestos abatement and demolition of the former Helping Hand Thrift Store in Fostoria, Ohio have been accepted; however, the WSOS Community Action Committee must first submit a request to the National Register of Historic Places in Washington D.C., in order to receive approval for the project.

The property, along with all of downtown Fostoria, is registered as a historical site. Because of this, demolition projects require permission from the government agency.

"They look at the cost comparisons for the demolition versus re-violation of the building…We hired a structural engineer, and he determined it is structurally not sound and should be torn down,” said WSOS rehabilitation specialist, Rob Grimm.

The WSOS has accepted a $86,320 demolition bid from Posey Excavating. For the asbestos abatement, they accepted a bid from Global Green Services for $8,800.

The asbestos abatement must first occur in the older building, in order to prevent any disturbance of the toxic material. For when the material is disturbed during renovation or demolition, the hazardous particles become airborne–posing a serious health risk to community residents.

When the particles are inhaled, those exposed are put at risk for contracting mesothelioma–a rare and aggressive disease which most commonly affects the internal lining of the chest cavity. The disease affects nearly 3,000 Americans each year.

Unfortunately, there is no mesothelioma cure. And due to an extended latency period, mesothelioma doctors struggle to diagnose patients in the early stages of their disease.

WSOS will submit a report to the agency, and if the proposal is accepted, it will then be submitted to the Ohio historical registry–which will issue the final determination letter. "Once I get the final determination letter from the state, I would go ahead and send the asbestos contractors in there and they would abate," noted Grimm.

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