Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, June 29, 1990                   TAG: 9006290374
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

AUDITORIUM TO BE CLOSED FOR TWO MONTHS

Bob Chapman, civic center manager, said Thursday the low bid for removing the asbestos was $144,800, but proposed renovations to the auditorium will push the cost up to $250,000.

The auditorium will be closed July 17 after the Miss Virginia Pageant so asbestos can be removed from the ceiling in the lobby and mezzanine. It won't reopen until Sept. 17.

The coliseum and exhibit hall will remain open and won't be affected by the closing, he said.

"It won't have any effect on events in the coliseum and exhibit hall except that people might notice that the auditorium is sealed off," Chapman told the Civic Center Commission.

Asbestos, a widely used building material for many years before researchers discovered that it is a health hazard, has been linked to several forms of fatal cancer.

A small portion of asbestos was exposed last year while workers were installing an elevator for the handicapped in the auditorium. Because of bookings, it could not be closed until this summer so the rest of the asbestos could be removed.

Asbestos is now banned for most uses, but it was used for insulation and other purposes in in many buildings that were constructed before 1978.

State building regulations require asbestos to be removed from commercial and public buildings - constructed prior to 1978 - before the owners can obtain building permits for renovating or demolishing them.