Asbestos to be removed from Downey Theatre

DOWNEY - The Downey Theatre will close for part of the summer for asbestos treatment as the city prepares to install a new HVAC system.The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has not been replaced since the theater was built in 1971. "It no longer operates efficiently in terms of energy consumption, is no longer environmentally sustainable and requires constant maintenance and repair," Public Works Director Brian Ragland wrote in a report. Before the HVAC system can be installed, asbestos and other hazardous materials must be abated in accordance with Cal-OSHA regulations, Ragland said. The hazardous materials that require abatement include sprayed-on fireproofing material covering the roof beams and insulating material that covers the current HVAC system piping. The abatement process is scheduled to occur over a 25-day working period set to begin in late July and into August. Cost to remove the asbestos and related hazardous materials is $28,730, which will be paid out of a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant obtained from the U.S. Department of Energy through last year's economic stimulus package. CF Environmental Inc. has been chosen to complete the work. The company previously completed abatement work at the Rio Hondo Golf Club and the Montessori School site. The city is in the midst of choosing an outside operator for the 738-seat theater, which is losing money at a pace of $1 million every three years, city officials said. -- Eric Pierce, City Editor

********** Published: May 14, 2010 - Volume 9 - Issue 4