Incinerator Project Update - July 2,2025
In the Fall of 2024, the Commission Superintendent was notified that the incinerator building brick façade appeared to be separating. The Commission Superintendent immediately went to the site with the assistance of the Town Building Inspector and Town Engineer.
Based on the conditions observed, Calgi Construction was called to discuss immediate evaluation of the facility. Shortly after that initial review, Calgi Construction secured the assistance of an asbestos firm and structural engineer to evaluate the immediate condition of the building. Calgi Construction, the structural engineer and the asbestos firm all did an initial evaluation at no cost to the Commission, Town or Village.
Based on further discussion, the Commission Superintendent was advised that the deteriorated portion of the structure needed to be demolished as soon as possible. Discussions included both the consideration of demolition of the entire incinerator building or a partial demolition of the top half, with the bottom half to be done within one to three years thereafter. Based on these discussions, the Commission Superintendent’s recommendation to the Commissioners (Mayor of the Village of Larchmont and Town Supervisor) at that time was to demolish the incinerator in two parts. The main reasons for this recommendation were the cost of total demolition within a short time span and the desire to preserve the tower for as long as possible to provide cell coverage from Verizon (not knowing whether or not the impact of demolition would impair the smokestack).
Since the time of the initial evaluation, however, a different structural engineer has been retained and further evaluation has been done, including regarding asbestos.
It is still a bit unclear what impact the demolition of the building may have on the old smokestack that houses the Verizon antennae, but the latest professional opinion is that the entire building and the smokestack should be demolished all at once.
The Commission contracted with Calgi Construction to serve as Construction Manager for the demolition of the incinerator building. As part of the Calgi Construction scope of services, a qualified asbestos firm and structural engineering firm have been hired to further evaluate the building and prepare necessary design to facilitate demolition. The asbestos report has been received by the Commission and indicates the presence of asbestos throughout the building. It has also been determined that soil borings will be required as part of the structural integrity analysis.
Plans for the entire project will be developed as all of the information required is secured.
The initial costs estimated and budgeted to cover the “soft costs” (Calgi Construction, asbestos firm and structural engineer) and partial demolition of the incinerator were budgeted. Further cost estimates are currently being prepared as the final plan for demolition is determined.
The Commission applied for a Local Government Efficiency Grant of $500,000 to demolish the second half of the building. This then became another reason to see if it was possible to demolish just the top half so we could potentially use grant funds to help offset the demolition of the bottom half. A decision on the grant award has not yet been received and is not expected until some time this summer. If the full demolition moves forward prior to any notice of award (IF we were to get the grant) and executed contract, we would void our eligibility to utilize grant funding so that will be part of the project expense consideration.
Construction of the incinerator was completed in September 1940. It ceased operations in the mid-1970’s and has been idle since that time. It is clear that the building’s useful life is long over and it must be demolished. Once further evaluation is done, we will provide more information on the project.