Comments on: Aging Building Near Shirlington to Be Torn Down

By: Quoth the Raven

Quoth the Raven — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:21:32 +0000

Given the age of the building, there is absolutely no chance that this building is not loaded with asbestos and lead paint and who knows what else. It’s not a “goofy accusation” at all – it’s a solid point.

By: drax

drax — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:14:19 +0000

The conspiracy theory is the idea that the county is using deconstruction of the building to hide the presence of toxic materials.

By: CW

CW — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:04:58 +0000

It’s not a goofy accusation or conspiracy theory. It’s a pretty well-educated guess given the vintage of the building and the construction practices at the time.

By: drax

drax — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 13:59:57 +0000

People come up with all kinds of goofy accusations and conspiracy theories here and don’t back them up. It’s the Internet after all.

By: drax

drax — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 13:58:43 +0000

Stop thinking so hard, Johnny.

By: Johnny Newman

Johnny Newman — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 13:47:25 +0000

Maybe they should let Walmart build to help fix up the area leading up them. Just a thought.

By: Johnny Newman

Johnny Newman — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 13:46:55 +0000

Maybe they should let Walmar build to help fix up the area leading up them. Just a thought.

By: brown before green

brown before green — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 20:27:36 +0000

Deconstruction isn’t rocket science, and it also isn’t necessarily more expensive than simple wrecking ball and bulldozer. You can also see deconstruction at work at many sites — you will notice fairly organized piles of different material at the site. This makes it easy to load and cart away metals, stone, brick, block, glass, wire, etc. plus architectural elements. People PAY for a lot of the “waste,” so it is a different transaction than merely knocking it down and having to pay to dispose of the waste as at a landfill. The revenue stream offsets the cost of added time and labor. And, by going more carefully through the building, any ‘surprises’ of the hazardous kind can be dealt with properly minimizing threats to public health.

Although I did not study or inquire, I did notice some deconstruction practices at both the old McDonalds on Wilson @ Geo Mason that was rebuilt, and at the former Rosenthal site on Columbia Pike @ S. Glebe. Materials have value!

By: Frog

Frog — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 18:07:02 +0000

A study was done of Arlington’s industrial districts in the 90s (or what remains of them), but it didn’t make any real recommendations, it mostly just described how the industrial areas were used. This area is supposedly in line to have a small-area plan done, but it has been on the back burner for a long time. Say what you will, the auto-body shops etc. do serve a purpose.

By: John Fontain

John Fontain — Sat, 15 Dec 2012 04:02:45 +0000

CW, please substantiate your assertion that the county is lying to us about the reason for the method of demolition. Otherwise, i’ll have to take their statement at face value: they’re going to overpay to demolish the building because the idea of salvaging some junk sounds cool to the county staff that doesn’t have to pay for it themselves (other peoples’ money).