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Employees inspect all city buildings looking for mold
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
| Article published on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007 |
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| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
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| The Technical Services Building on 78th Avenue has had “design issues” over the years. |
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PINELLAS PARK – All municipal buildings are being inspected by city employees to ensure that mold problems similar to those at police headquarters do not exist.
Michael Gustafson, city manager, said the inspections are just a “precautionary measure” to catch any problems before they get out of hand.
Gustafson said he has received no reports of mold, but wants to be sure that none exist.
One of the buildings that most likely will receive extra attention is Technical Services, an odd-shaped edifice that is partly covered by dirt and grass.
Built about 20 years ago it is home to zoning, planning and other city offices. Earthen walls covered with grass cover the first half of the building and give it the appearance of a bunker.
There have been cases of “moisture spots” showing up inside offices that necessitated removing the dirt and grass to further waterproof the external walls.
The design of the building is for cosmetics only. The structure was not constructed in that manner to withstand hurricanes or other weather events.
It always had design issues,” Gustafson said. “That is not to say that moisture and/or mold exist. It does not, to our knowledge.”
Gustafson said the roof of that building was replaced about seven years ago.
City Hall and Park Station on Park Boulevard are, however, virtually hurricane-proof. City Hall has been “hardened” to withstand hurricane force winds. Park Station, constructed just two years ago, has reinforced windows, walls and doors that will stand up against winds of up to 150 and more miles an hour.
Gustafson, meanwhile, said there have been no reports of mold infestation in any buildings. He said the mold at the police administration building on 59th Street actually was caused by leaks in windows and not from the roof as believed.
Gustafson said contractors are repairing window leaks at no cost.
“We pride ourselves in taking care of city buildings and making them a safe place in which to work,” Gustafson said.
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Article published on Friday, Jan. 26, 2007
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