LATEST NEWS ON THE HARVEY HOUSE "HAVASU"
Asbestos in the Havasu

Several of you have asked for more news, current progress. Here's what's been happening, as quoted from early 2006 correspondence (slightly edited for clarity).

***
(TO BNSF)

I understand that someone from the RR is checking out the asbestos situation at the Havasu -- apparently still some in the roof and also underneath the building. Do you know anything about this? What impact would this have (on us)?

Happy New Year. It's nice to be working with you.

Mary Clurman

...
(TO BNSF)

Thanks for your time on the phone this morning.

I guess my thought is that BNSF has experience in asbestos abatement since, as your note below indicates, its cost is a factor in the RR's proceeding with the Havasu at all. We, on the other hand, have no experience whatever with it, or at least not as a group. We need to know what we are buying.

But to me, rather than being a deterrent to purchase, an understanding of the asbestos issue is just another factor that must help shape our plans, as it has BNSF's. I intend to follow through to the end, believing strongly that a revitalized Havasu will be a critical magnet for the town -- it's a bit of beauty and bygone extravagance that gives a lift to all who see it. It should not be destroyed.

So. After we spoke I remembered that I have a good friend who works in environmental quality control, -- without having to go too far, we may get some help on understanding the implications for this project.

I started working on this some years ago and actually assembled the current group, and so far it seems my best bet is to follow my instincts -- when a roadblock threatens, the best course is to understand it.

I'll let you know how it goes and what I find.

Mary Clurman

***

(TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY CONTROL CONTACT)

Hi Richard,

The current hurdle at the Harvey House is that
the RR removed some but not all asbestos in the
'90's. The roof, which they'd have had to
dismantle to clean out (under tile, in tarpaper,
etc), and the crawlspace under the building
(pipe wrappings) were left unabated.

We've been working on buying the property but
thought that all asbestos was already out. Now it
seems that, were we to own it outright and then%C2