OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – The first steps of the controversial demolition of a historic elementary school in Keego Harbor are set to begin next week.
Abatement of the former Roosevelt Elementary School, located on Cass Lake Road, is scheduled to begin on Sept. 8.
The West Bloomfield Township school board originally voted to demolish the school in 2023 and approved project bids to demolish and abate the property in March of last year.
A non-profit organization called Heart of the Lakes Community sought an emergency court order, arguing that school board members violated the Open Meetings Act by failing to publicly deliberate other options for the site.
The Michigan Court of Appeals issued a restraining order, temporarily pausing the demolition plans.
Then, in August of this year, the Court of Appeals sided with the West Bloomfield School District and dissolved the order.
According to the ruling, the organization failed to file its action within 60 days after the minutes of the meeting where the board voted to demolish the building were made available to the public.
According to a press release from the district, the Court of Appeals also specified it found no violation of the Open Meetings Act and found no evidence to support the claim that the demolition would cause environmental harm due to asbestos exposure.
However, Heart of the Lakes Community is now raising concerns about the amount of asbestos inside the school and the environmental impact the demolition could have on the surrounding area.
“If it’s not done correctly, the asbestos will be in the air, in the soil, and in the water,” said Jennifer Vasquez, the founder and president of the organization.
According to the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), an environmental consultant for the district found 10,500 square feet of asbestos-containing materials at the site.
Jennifer and other residents worry that the amount could actually be much higher.
“We really want additional testing done to give us peace,” Vasquez said. “Peace is priceless when it comes to this.”
EGLE Communications Director Dale George stated that if additional asbestos-containing material is verified, a revised notification must be submitted to EGLE.
George said the department received an asbestos survey and requested additional information, including information about the roof and the first floor of the school, but there is nothing that prevents the scheduled start of the abatement on Sept. 8.
Public Relations and Communications Supervisor Andrea Frank with the West Bloomfield School District said the district is following all state and federal guidelines during the abatement process, and that safety is the district’s top priority.
“The district has followed all applicable guidelines and regulations. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has been on-site multiple times.
Our asbestos abatement notification was issued by EGLE after review, and their oversight continues throughout the project.
All required pre-abatement and pre-demolition testing has been completed in accordance with state and federal guidelines, and we are following all regulations and requirements associated with that permit to ensure compliance and safety.
Safety is our number one priority.
We respect that a small group of community members continues to be disappointed in the demolition decision.
However, the building is no longer viable for student learning and does not meet the standards required to provide a safe and effective educational environment for our students.
The district remains committed to ensuring that all facilities meet current health, safety, and learning needs.”
Public Relations and Communications Supervisor Andrea Frank