MANSFIELD — Out of sight, out of mind doesn’t apply to asbestos abatements.
That’s why the Richland County Land Bank voted in an emergency meeting Friday to approve a change order for the West Park Shopping Center demolition.
The board approved a $59,161.92 change order from Erie Environmental of Port Clinton. The abatement company found more asbestos than was listed in the bid specs.
The following work was listed in the change order:
- Removal of additional 1,000 square feet of floor tile and mastic under carpet, debris and plaster with approximately half the area triple-layered in tile at unit 1225 (Hanas Oriental Market).
- Removal of additional 1,600 square feet of tile and master under 2-3 layers of flooring covered in debris at unit 1215 (Reflections).
- Removal of additional 2,600 square feet of floor tile and mastic under carpet at unit 1203 (pet store).
- Removal of additional 5,104 square feet of floor tile and mastic under carpet at unit 1233 (Gary’s Discount Store).
Land bank executive director Amy Hamrick said Erie Environmental is onsite and should be able to complete the work on schedule, wrapping up abatement this weekend.
The abatement company is a subcontractor for R&D Excavating of Crestline, which was awarded a contract to tear down the former West Park Shopping Center on Mansfield’s “Miracle Mile.”
R&D submitted the lowest of nine bids for the project at 1157 Park Ave. West at $886,845. The West Park demolition will be funded through a $1 million state grant from the Ohio Department of Development.
Contractors were instructed to base their bids on demolition bid specs and a final asbestos survey report listed on the land bank’s website.
The asbestos analysis provided on the website was conducted in the spring of 2023 by Certified Environmental Inc. in Lexington and submitted to then-owner Namdar Realty Group.
The report noted that “the majority of the stores (including basement) could safely be inspected; however, where there was extensive roof collapse, some areas could not be safely accessed to the potential for additional structural collapse.”
The city initially ordered the demolition of the West Park Shopping Center in 2022 during the administration of former Mayor Tim Theaker and former Law Director John Spon, an effort resisted by the building’s former owner.
Dan and Brenda Niss, local business owners and entrepreneurs, agreed in December to buy the decaying former strip mall from the New Jersey-based Namdar Realty Group for $1 million.
Dan Niss has said he doesn’t have specific re-development plans in mind for the property. In January, Niss said he and his wife simply saw a need to help the community they love.
“It’s been such an eyesore these past few years,” the local business owner, entrepreneur and philanthropist told Richland Source nine months ago. “We felt like we should do something with it and help clean up that area.”
