Bradley school ready for demolition

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Asbestos has been removed from the tornado- stricken Blue Springs Elementary School building and now the Bradley County School Board will be seeking bids for demolition of the building.

Architect Angie Lyon of Kaatz Binkley Jones & Morris Inc. told the school board

Asbestos has been removed, and bids will be sought for the razing of Blue Springs Elementary, which was hit by a tornado last April.

Thursday that bid packages for the demolition will go out Feb. 28.

After the work starts, “It could only take a week or two,” Lyon said.

The board will vote on the bids on March 8.

The school was demolished during the April 27, 2011, tornadoes.

Meanwhile, the quest for a Federal Emergency Management Administration grant to be used toward a new school is being made, Lyon said.

When a contract is awarded, the school system will have three years to complete the new school, Lyon said, plus two one-year extensions for a total of five years.

And at tornado-damaged Michigan Avenue Elementary, “The steel has been set. The roof is on. We are dry and enclosed,” said Casson Conn of Tri-conn Construction. Brick masonry is about a week away from completion, he said.

Director of Schools John- ny Mcdaniel said he has met with the Salvation Army and the Long Term Recovery Project about some funds available for Michigan Avenue “and when we rebuild Blue Springs.”

“We will be grateful to receive whatever they deem appropriate,” Mcdaniel said.

Contact Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress. com or 423-314-1029.