Asbestos Removal Required Before Keyes Remodel

Renovation on the Edd B. Keyes building downtown will start soon, as the architect’s design has been approved and county staff have decided to move forward.

Tom Green County Facilities and Maintenance Director Don Killim updated county officials Tuesday morning in Commissioners Court, stating that the remodel may begin in the weeks to come.

Airing a familiar problem with county buildings, Killim announced the need for asbestos abatement on the second floor of the Keyes building, which could slow progress on the remodel. The county is considering Terracon for the abatement contract in hopes that the company’s familiarity with the building will speed up the abatement process.

County Judge Steve Floyd expressed concern over yet another asbestos abatement expense, and asked if there were still buildings in the county with the problem.

“Hopefully we’re getting to the end of asbestos and Terracon,” Floyd said. “I was hoping we had touched enough buildings by now. It seems like for nine years now, every time we want to paint a closet we have to hire a consultant and an abatement company.”

According to Killim, there are still county buildings that have an asbestos problem, however none if it is considered hazardous. Killim says the majority of the abatement revolves around the flooring and wall coverings.

Because an abatement is necessary, all second-floor offices will have to be moved downstairs until the process is complete, however the majority of those will remain permanently on the first floor. Only the Commissioners’ offices and court room will remain upstairs, but will be cordoned off until the abatement is completed.

“This is going to be broken up into at least two phases, the first floor being the first phase, the second floor being the second phase,” Killim says. “It depends on who moves where if there’s a third [phase]. I suspect the first phase to take 9 months to a year.”

At next meeting, Killim will bring a proposal from Terracon for pricing. Once the remodel begins, Commissioners Court and all other county services handled in the building will be relocated.