City Commissioners want City Manager Bobbye Rose to find a way to resolve issues at the Sands Dorsey Building.

"The city commission has instructed me to move forward with the abatement of this health and safety issue associated with this building," Rose said after Thursday night's meeting.

More than two years have passed since the historic downtown building was damaged extensively in a fire.

"We are no closer to a solution then when we began these discussions two years ago," said Commissioner Jim Lafferty.

A top issue for the city is running is the cost of demolition and disposal.

Harmful contaminants such as lead, mercury and asbestos were found in the materials.

"Because of levels of containments, demolition and transportation of the waste changes drastically," said Doug Powers, Tucumcari’s Community Development director.

Powers said the building would have to be torn down according to state regulations to prevent the spread of the hazardous material. Once demolished, the materials would have to be transported to a state-licensed hazardous waste disposal site.

"We can not just tear it down and throw it in our landfill," Powers said.  

Lafferty said the city needs to look into new ways of obtaining the money for demolition of the building.

"One possible solution is seeking Brownfield Funds," Powers said.

Powers said because of the contamination of the site, the city may be able to apply for Brownfield money. He said the money is used for clean-up activities.

"We need to act," Lafferty said. "Even if we place the project into an RFP (Request For Proposal)."

Lafferty also raised concerns about the state's historical preservation preventing the use of public money to demolish the building.

Rose said if the building were to be declared a historic site, public funds could not be used to remove the building.

"The New Mexico Environment Department is currently reviewing our plan for removal," Rose said. "We will then send it to Historic Preservation for their review."

Lafferty said the city is actively seeking a way to dispose of the building,  which is a health hazard to the public.

Rose said the city's main concern is the public's safety.

"It is essential," Rose said. "The hazardous waste needs to be abated."

Other items before the commission included

• Approved a $100,000 loan agreement with New Mexico Environment Department for wastewater construction.
• Approved a $5 million loan/grant with the USDA for wastewater treatment plant and lift station rehabilitation.  $4 million in grants and $1,303,000 in loans.
• Approved the application for $58,646 in New Mexico Department of Transportation Co-op money. The money will be used for street resurfacing and repair on South Second and Third Street from Tucumcari Boulevard to Washington Avenue. The Co-op grants$43,984 with a city having to match with $14,661.
• Rejected all bids on the Rail Road Depot Re-roofing project.