ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, November 1, 1996 TAG: 9611010011
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV10 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
The Montgomery County Board of Supervisors has rescinded its Monday vote to award contracts for removal and demolition of buildings and other structures at the Falling Branch Industrial Park site.
The board rescinded the vote Tuesday after completing a joint meeting with the county School Board.
A house and farm buildings need to be removed from the property, near Interstate 81's Exit 118, so grading and other site development can begin.
Supervisor Joe Stewart adamantly opposed the resolution passed Monday, in which the county agreed to sell the house, corn cribs, shed and other items for about $2,500. The county also agreed to pay a Radford company $38,285 for doing most of the demolition.
Stewart said the county could have brought in more money for the house and other items by holding an auction. The measure passed 4-1, with Supervisors Jim Moore and Nick Rush absent.
The vote was rescinded because supervisors thought over Stewart's objections and want to revisit the matter at the next board meeting, Supervisor Joe Gorman said.
Chairman Henry Jablonski said he believed all the board members shared Stewart's concerns Monday night, but also wanted to move forward to get the land cleared, something state economic development directors have said is needed to begin marketing the site.
Last month, the county received $4.58 million in federal loans and loan guarantees that will pay for the park's purchase and for preparing sites for new plants.
Tuesday, the supervisors voted to keep part of the original resolution, which urged the Industrial Development Authority to award a $9,164 contract to Goode-Omega to dispose of underground storage tanks at the park, and also urged the IDA to contract for asbestos identification and removal services.
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