Asbestos removal required before Charleston federal building can become hotel
The Mendel Rivers Federal Building in Charleston, South Carolina is going to be getting a new life soon. Purchased by developer John Dewberry of Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, redevelopment of the site will begin soon now that the Charleston Planning Commission has gone over the necessary zoning and design approvals. It is currently zoned for commercial use, but special permission is required to turn it into a hotel, which is what Dewberry would like to do. A city official stated that a hotel would fit in well. The building is structurally sound, but it will require asbestos abatement before redevelopment can move forward. Asbestos is a toxic substance that was extremely common in building materials until the 1970s. Asbestos exposure can cause a number of serious illnesses like mesothelioma and lung cancer.
While some people believe that the federal building will be demolished as the redevelopment moves forward, preservationists hope that the building will be preserved so that it continues to represent the city’s rich architectural history.
For the full story, go to Charleston City Paper.
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