Published: July 22, 2008 10:55 am         

JFK apartments being renovated

CUMBERLAND - If you do it the correct way, the floor tiles usually pop up "pretty cleanly" without much of a problem.

But yes, they do have asbestos and occasionally they do crumble.

Five apartments at the John F. Kennedy Apartments building are under renovation to make the units handicapped-accessible. The work includes the removal of such floor tiles and some residents have expressed concern about the possibility of asbestos being released into the air.

Russ Conway, executive director of the Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland, said to alleviate any problems and concerns, Allegheny Mountain Research of Shanksville, Pa., has been hired to monitor the work on the Mechanic Street complex.

He explained if the floor tiles crumble, they can release asbestos fibers into the air.

"It's not really that big of an issue," Conway, who once was certified in the removal and monitoring of the tile, said. "We vacated the units and when we're doing the work, we make sure the doors are sealed and nothing can get out. There's not going to be any asbestos fibers on the floor."

The renovations are under way to comply with federal regulations, which require that 5 percent of all units be handicapped-accessible. Such requirements weren't in place when the apartment complex was built in 1967.

When the work is completed, the traffic pattern will be improved as well as the kitchen and bathroom in each unit. Capital Construction, also of Pennsylvania, is the general contractor and was awarded the $200,000 bid. Work is to be finished within 150 days, although Conway said he believes the work will be completed "well before that."

"Queen City Towers was renovated before I started here," he said. "We've been thinking about doing (JFK) for quite a while but we always had an emergency come up."

One such expenditure came two years ago when the boilers failed and had to be replaced. Last year, funds were needed to replace the windows on the 11-story, 100-unit facility.

Contact Maria Smith at msmith@times-news.com.