Asbestos abatement efforts continue to slow down the demolition process for the Phoenix Building in downtown Hopkinsville, and Christian Civil Court issued an order that might speed that process up Wednesday morning.
Defense attorney Kenneth Humphries detailed the hold-up, saying the Cravens family is wanting to be 100 percent sure this process is being done correctly and safely and they’re still waiting to hear back from the asbestos abatement contractor on when they can move forward.
By law, a 10-day notice must be completed before the abatement process can start, which is what they are currently waiting for.
City Attorney Doug Willen expressed concern about the continued delays, saying he is worried it will continue to be drawn out, no matter what deadlines the court sets.
Judge Andrew Self ordered that an asbestos abatement notice be completed by end of business on Thursday, and if that does not happen from the chosen contractor, the city can move forward with their own abatement efforts.
The historic building at Ninth and Main Streets was deemed unsafe to enter in January of this year, and other buildings in that area have already been demolished, including what was once Lee’s Pool Hall, Woods Pharmacy and the Main Street Café.