Preliminary work toward demolition of the 1921 Rippey school building is nearly complete. East Greene building and grounds director Shawn DeMoss reported to the school board last week that asbestos removal was 90 percent complete.
Environmental Services of Iowa Inc had the low bid for the project at $95,600. “This was a bigger job than they anticipated. They figured they’d be out about a month ago,” DeMoss said. “They probably lost money on it. They had laid off five of their employees, which they had never done in the past. It was a big thing for them for them to keep those people working. It worked out for both of us. We got a good bid and they got to keep their guys all employed.”
The board looked at bids for the demolition of the building. The board had asked for bids on two options: demolish the building down to 18 inches below grade; or complete demolition including the removal of footings. Bids were received from Lansing Bros for $101,000 for the first option and $111,000 for the second option, from Murphy Construction at $131,450/$139,450,and from Neese Inc $171,500/$216,500.
The board accepted the low bid from Lansing Bros of Luxemburg, IA. The company will remove footings except for those on the west side of the gymnasium. (The gymnasium is not part of the demolition project.)
The board received a $21,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to cover part of the demolition costs. A requirement of the grant is that at least 31 percent of the estimated weight of the building materials must be diverted from landfills. Superintendent Tim Christensen said Lansing Bros has worked within that grant program previously and will be responsible for documenting compliance.
Lansing Bros has full salvage rights to other materials, but the company has been asked to leave behind bricks for a future monument or other small structure commemorating the school.
The dedication plaque from the original building will be moved to the entryway of the gymnasium. Board president Marc Hoffman said several people had asked him about the plaque. A recognition of the generous financial support of the district by the Wisecups is also being considered.
