<p>After years of planning, Augusta State University is finally ready to begin a complex and expensive task of tearing down six World War II-era classroom buildings that contain potentially dangerous levels of asbestos.</p><p>The buildings were built in 1941 by the military for use as ammunition storage sites. Therese Rosier, the university's physical plant director, says a blend of concrete and asbestos known as transite was used in the buildings.</p><p>Due to the presence of asbestos, the demolition plan will cost about $3.5 million, including environmental remediation and disposal that will be supervised by Georgia's Environmental Protection Division.</p><p>"Just like when you put a building up, there is a lot that goes on in tearing something down _ even before you see a lot of activity," Rosier said. "There has already been a tremendous amount of work rerouting water, electricity and phones."</p><p>The six buildings _ Hardy Hall, Skinner Hall, Markert Hall, Butler Hall, the Old Science Building and the Classroom-Office Building _ combine for 187,000 square feet of office and instructional space.</p><p>Demolition work is scheduled to begin on Aug. 1. All six buildings are scheduled to be demolished and removed by March 15.</p><p>Asbestos was widely used for fireproofing for many years. Scientists later learned that the material can crumble, become airborne and cause dangerous health problems years and even decades after exposure.</p><p>"Asbestos becomes a problem when it's airborne," said Kathy Hamrick, ASU's planning coordinator. "Most of the asbestos is in the roof panels, and we don't have to cut them to remove them, which will make the job easier."</p><p>Ultimately, the asbestos-containing material removed from the campus will be taken to a landfill licensed to handle hazardous materials, Hamrick said.</p><p>Activities on the campus will continue throughout all phases of the project.</p><p>___</p><p>HASH(0x28665f0)</p>
