Demolition of buildings for new bus station continues

The demolition of buildings to make way for the city’s new bus station between Jefferson and Adams streets came to a slight pause this month with the need to remove asbestos from two buildings.

Asbestos is a mineral fiber that has been used commonly in building construction materials and when asbestos-containing materials are damaged or disturbed by repair, remodeling or demolition activities, microscopic fibers become airborne and can be inhaled into the lungs, where they can cause significant health problems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The site of the $14.6 million planned station — that the city refers to as the Brownsville Multimodal Terminal — to provide local, regional and international bus service is immediately west of International Boulevard.

It will be constructed within a 5.4-acre tract of land that will include the bus terminal, bus bays, canopies and parking.

The City Commission recently approved the second change order to $745,200 allocated for site preparation in the contract with SpawGlass Contractors, Inc.

The change order for asbestos abatement work was for $53,234.

The first change order was for $29,514 for the addition of a wooden guardrail to protect the public from tripping hazards and modifications to a temporary modular building, bringing the total project cost of site preparation and demolition to $827,948, public records show.

A memo to city officials from Purchasing Director Roberto C. Luna reflects that the asbestos was found on a weather barrier of one building and the brick and the wood frame of a second building.

Luna said that the Texas Department of State Health Services requires the removal of asbestos. It also should be removed to be in compliance with guidelines from the EPA and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

According to the city, the project includes construction of a transit passenger terminal building with approximately 30,000 square feet designed for visitor and passenger waiting areas, intercity bus company counters, administrative office space and a community room. It also includes about 11,000 square feet in space to lease to retail businesses. The terminal would be able to accommodate about 30 buses.

The removal of the asbestos and demolition of the buildings are under way. Work also continues on the final design of the terminal. More than 60 percent is complete, the commission learned from Brownsville Urban System Director Normal H. Zamora in October.