Incinerator Project Update
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 evaluation of the facility. Shortly after that initial review, Calgi Construction secured the assistance of an asbestos firm and structural engineer to evaluate the 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 structure needed to be demolished. 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 at that time 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. The latest professional opinion is that the entire building and the smokestack should be demolished at the same time. The Superintendent has had several discussions with Verizon regarding this project and the company is in the process of working on any possible alternatives for providing a similar level of cell service at a different location.
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 documents to facilitate demolition. The asbestos report has been received by the Commission and indicates the presence of asbestos in the building. A separate description, along with the report, is available on the Commission website.
A plan for asbestos removal and demolition is currently being developed.
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 full demolition is determined.
The Commission applied for a Local Government Efficiency Grant of $500,000 to cover much of the cost of demolition of 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 was just received and it was not awarded. Therefore, our consultants are moving forward with estimating the scope and cost of a full demolition.
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. Once further evaluation is done, we will provide more information on the project.