On the heels of some activist outbursts at a Minneapolis City Council meeting over the planned demolition of the Roof Depot building, the city is making experts available to allay the fears some have about the project.
Activists say because arsenic was found at the site six years ago, the surrounding area could put people at risk.
Environmental consultant Justin Michael says the levels of arsenic are minimal, and they're taking extraordinary steps to make sure everything is contained during demolition.
“So this project, just because of potential neighborhood concerns, the city has gone kind of above and beyond typical engineering procedures to really make sure things get done in a safe and efficient manner,” says Michael.
Residents in the area are concerned about chemicals being released. The building is in a part of South Minneapolis that has long worried residents after a pesticide manufacturer contaminated the soil, leading to a declaration of a federal superfund in 2007.
“The added precautions here, are a very detailed air monitoring program, which most redevelopment projects in the Twin Cities rarely have that kind of air monitoring as kind of an added layer of safety just to make sure,” Michael adds.
The city is planning to build a central public works facility on the site in Minneapolis' East Phillips neighborhood on East 28th Street. Area residents, especially the Native American community members, are against the demolition and want to develop the site as an urban farm and community gathering place.
The city says it is unsafe and not salvageable.
A judge ruled today to stop demolition plans for Tuesday to give neighborhood groups a chance to appeal.