Hidden asbestos inside a motel being leveled at Fort Wayne International Airport will cost an extra $21,819 to remove.
The Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority on Monday approved the funding to remove 2,769 square feet of asbestos found inside the Days Inn motel. The motel is being demolished to make way for a 600-spot parking lot. The additional money increases the cost to raze the building to $264,350.
Airport Executive Director Tory Richardson said other asbestos removal had been anticipated, but there was no way to foresee the additional asbestos found behind the inner walls and on the reverse side of the buildings external panels. The building demolition could be complete by weeks end, Richardson said, and the parking lot could be open by October to handle the peak traveling season. The parking spots will be a mix of short- and long-term spaces.
Richardson said the airport will have a shuttle service to the parking lots. He said that he expects to have one shuttle operational at all times with a possible second shuttle running during peak traveling hours.
The Airport Authority purchased the 145-room vacated motel at 3939 W. Ferguson Road in January for $800,000.
