Des Moines County supervisors have announced that it will cost roughly $30,000 each to raze and remove the flood-damaged cabins on Otter Island near Burlington, Iowa. The supervisors awarded a contract totaling $119,999 to First Construction to demolish the four cabins on the Mississippi River Island. "First Construction was the most responsive bidder and the lowest bidder," said Land Use Administrator Jeff Hanan, who serves as project manager for the demolition program. Other reported bids included one from Kent DaVolt of Keokuk, who bid $134,000, as well as a bid from T&T Technologies Inc. of West Burlington in the amount of $136,918.
First Construction will be responsible for demolishing the cabins, hauling away tons of debris, and then covering the sites with clean dirt. The razing of the buildings will commence next month, and is being financed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Based on FEMA requirements, debris from demolished structures must be treated as if it contains asbestos. Asbestos is dangerous if inhaled, and can cause asbestosis or mesothelioma, a rare but aggressive cancer. This cancer can rapidly move throughout the body, but often originates in the lining of the lungs, heart, or abdomen. Chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical intervention, and even some prescription drugs may be recommended by the doctor, but the exact course of treatment will depend on how far the cancer has advanced. The cancer can kill in as little as a few months after being diagnosed.
In order to comply with FEMA regulations, all the debris from the site must be shrink-wrapped together prior to transportation to the regional landfill outside West Burlington.