Courthouse asbestos removal, renovations to be completed in the springVernon County, Wisconsin - The Vernon County, Wisconsin Courthouse roof project, including asbestos removal, will wrap up in the spring of 2010, according to local officials with the Vernon County Security and Facilities Committee. Kulps, LLC of Stratford has taken on the project, which will cost $390,000. Both asbestos and the original steel roof of the complex had to be removed prior to the start of the project.
Asbestos removal is required by law before most renovation and repair projects begin. This is because asbestos exposure has been conclusively linked to the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer. Mesothelioma affects less than 3,000 Americans each year, and can develop in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. The majority of patients lose their battle with this cancer in less than two years.
"The main roof should be buttoned up in the next two weeks," Vernon County Clerk Ron Hoff said. "The original plan was to have it completed by November 20, but there were three or four days of high winds in September where nobody could be on the roof and there were some rainy days. Also, some extra things came up. [The spire has] been there since 1880 when the courthouse was built. It was in bad shape. They took it to Stratford to get it rebuilt and repainted."
"The work seems to be a quality product," Hoff explained. "It's really looking good. The building was built with a standing steel seam roof in 1880. In 1935 they replaced it with a tile roof. It was probably time again. People were worried about more leaks starting."
