November 9th, 2006

Officials from Marco Island are due to meet up early next week to discuss whether a second clean up is needed to get rid of asbestos contamination at the future Veteran’s Park site. Crews have been working at the site and have been discovering pieces of contaminated pipe. One clean up has already been conducted at the site, but a further one may be required.

One resident stated: "My guess is 15 to 20 people wearing masks with rakes went shoulder to shoulder across the lot to pick up pieces of asbestos that were rediscovered."

He added: "…it's a horrible eyesore and it's been a long time. We've had promises of when it's going to be done and excuses why we are not going to meet the deadlines."

The City Manager for Marco Island explained: "There is a pile of construction rubble and soil. We have tested that pile and found evidence of asbestos fibers, but we didn't know to what extent. Now, we are treating it. That may require some type of mitigation."