Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
Vandals damage school building under renovation, exposed to asbestos
The vandalism occurred late Friday or early Saturday at the former St. Mary Magdalene grade school on East Tenth Avenue that will house the Propel Charter School-Homestead when it opens in September.
"The apparently illiterate vandals entered the building despite 'Danger' signs that asbestos removal and abatement were under way," Propel spokesman Bob Crytzer said Tuesday.
"No one has been permitted into the building without protective clothing and a respirator since last week when the asbestos-abatement company came in," he said.
Asbestos, which can cause health problems when inhaled, is a flaky substance widely used during the 1940s and '50s for insulation and ship-building. It has been known to cause lung cancer and asbestosis, a lung-scarring disease.
It is unclear how much, if any, asbestos the vandals were exposed to inside the 40-year-old building, but Crytzer urged them to seek immediate medical treatment.
The vandals used a bolt-cutter to remove a steel lock outside the building and cut copper water pipes inside.
"The water flooded the lower levels, damaging a beautiful maple gymnasium floor," Crytzer said. "It literally warped the floor and caused a rather large hump."
Also flooded were the areas that will serve as the cafeteria, kitchen and locker rooms.
Crytzer said an extent of the damage won't be known until the asbestos is all removed and contractors can examine the site.
"Preliminary estimates are that it could be as high as $100,000," he said.
Crytzer said school officials are determined to have the $3 million renovation project completed in time for classes to begin as scheduled in September.
Classes for 180 students in kindergarten through sixth grade are currently being held in the former Homestead Hospital site. Grades 7 and 8 are expected to be added in the fall of 2005.
Although charter schools have met opposition in several communities, Crytzer said Propel has been well-received in Homestead, and he does not believe the incident was anything more than a random act of vandalism.
More Pittsburgh, Allegheny headlines
- CCAC approves three-year contract
- Transportation planners outline pitch for projects in 10 counties
- Rankin Bridge traffic to shift tomorrow
- City's Men of Excellence honored
- Mon Incline will close this weekend
- County races have share of squeakers
- Allegheny health department not sweating lack of flu vaccine
- Ravenstahl wins every ward with slimmest victory to date
