p>The Colony Plaza Hotel in Ocoee, FL, is finally slated to be demolished after over a decade of waiting.
Known by locals as “the pink monster”, the hotel is an eyesore.
County commissioners have approved demolition of the hotel, and it will be demolished in 30-45 days.
The “pink monster” was once a thriving hotel, but now it is an empty shell, with open elevator shafts and squatters, as well as a known asbestos problem.
The county commissioners have declared that the asbestos-ridden building must be torn down, as the structure is a current health and safety issue.
"This building was nothing but a place for vandals, thieves and homeless to come in and just have an absolute free for all," said Rich Lorenz, an employee from an asbestos removal company.
The estimated cost of demolition and asbestos abatement for the Colony Plaza Hotels is approximately $700,000.
The funding for the demolition and asbestos abatement for this project will come from the community redevelopment agency, which is a tax the city put in place several years ago to help specific areas that need improvement.
Asbestos abatement is a costly, but necessary step in any demolition project. Left untreated, the asbestos in the building would become airborne during demolition. Once airborne, asbestos could be inhaled by workers or nearby residents. Asbestos inhalation is linked to lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
Asbestos is common in older buildings. Asbestos is found in materials such as insulation, floor and ceiling tiles, fireproofing, and other common building materials.