ADEM investigating demolition of McClellan Buildings

The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, or ADEM is investigating the recent demolition of 23 old buildings at the former fort McClellan by the city of Anniston. It appears that the buildings contained asbestos and the city failed to  provide the required notification.

An Alabama Department of Environmental Management inspector discovered the discrepancy last week after receiving a complaint from a local resident about the site. The city's environmental consultant says notification to the department was unnecessary since a survey showed the type of asbestos in the buildings cannot spread through the air. ADEM officials, however, say notification was still required and they will investigate to ensure the asbestos was properly removed before possibly enacting any penalties.

Back in the spring, at the McClellan Development Authority's request, city workers started demolishing the 23, 1950s-era apartment complexes to make way for potential development.

Officials say a survey completed on the buildings in the 1990s showed there was asbestos in the structures' floor tiles — a type of asbestos that does not crumble and spread through the air when removed and is therefore not hazardous to human health.

However Ron Gore, head of ADEM's air division, said the city violated state regulations by not providing notification, even if the asbestos was deemed safe.

Gore said ADEM will continue to investigate to ensure the asbestos was disposed of properly. If it wasn't and the problem could have been prevented by ADEM being notified, then the city could face a monetary penalty.

Robin Scott, executive director of the authority, said

the demolition work has made way for various development projects, including the recent expansion at International Automotive Components. Scott said some buildings were also recently destroyed to make way for a speculative building that the Calhoun County Economic Development Council will use to lure in industry.