Asbestos Woes Continue on Marco Island

November 14, 2006 - Marco Island officials got word yesterday that the site where the future Veterans Park is to stand will require yet more asbestos removal before building can commence. 

NBC-2 News reports that the preliminary results of the most recent study done by a Fort Myer’s company shows 24 inches of soil will need to be completely removed to rid the area of asbestos.

"We know asbestos is there. No one is arguing that. We want to resolve it without any further harm to the site or area," said Marco Island representative Lisa Douglass.

The study, according to the news report, shows that the majority of the asbestos pipes on the site are situated along a 200-foot walkway about 15 feet inside the property line.  However, the study also shows that there are other problem spots scattered around the property, where $80,000 was already spent earlier this year to remove asbestos pipes.

Officials from American Management Resources said they will recommend to Marco Island officials that 12 inches of contaminated soil be removed and that they dig another 12 inches deeper as a precaution and to avoid future scenarios like the one now taking place.

Lisa Douglass says the city is no longer “pointing fingers” and theorizing as to how the additional asbestos was overlooked.  "We can all stand around and have what ifs and whys and theories, but they're all just theories and will they ever be proven - probably not. The important thing is for us to move on as a community and make sure the asbestos is gone," said Douglass.