Asbestos abatement to extend demolition date of fertilizer facility
As part of Plant City, Florida’s redevelopment plan, the former Gro Mor fertilizer distribution facility, located at 307 S. Evers Street, will be demolished. The plant, however, will remain standing longer than expected.
The old fertilizer facility is ridden with hazardous asbestos material, which must be removed before the building is demolished. The asbestos abatement project was awarded to Cross at $13,380, reports Tampa Bay Online. And although asbestos abatement began July 6, the intricate process will take another month to complete.
Asbestos is a toxic material, found in many older buildings. Exposure to asbestos has been known to cause mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis. For when the particles are disturbed, without first being properly removed, the material becomes airborne, and is easily inhaled.
Mesothelioma is the most aggressive asbestos-related cancer, which affects nearly 3,000 Americans each year. The disease most commonly affects the internal lining of the chest cavity.
Unfortunately, mesothelioma goes unseen for a period of 10 to 50 years. And because of this, treatment such as mesothelioma surgery, chemotherapy and radiation arrive in the later stages of the patients’ disease.
Plant City purchased the 1.27 acres site from Andy and Shelby Bender for $600,000. The sellers agreed to pay for the demolition and debris removal. The city hopes the site will encourage redevelopment in midtown.