Alamosa Asbestos Walsh Hotel

Removal Site Update

Site Description

The City of Alamosa and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) requested the EPA’s assistance to address a dilapidated, fire-damaged structure at the former Walsh Hotel Site in Alamosa, Alamosa County, Colorado. This time-critical removal action involves the cleanup and proper disposal of debris from the structurally compromised former business office space and apartment buildings that are known to contain friable asbestos. The Site was identified by the City of Alamosa as a safety concern, posing a potential asbestos exposure threat to businesses, pedestrians and community members.

The removal action will include the cleanup and proper disposal of the asbestos containing material (ACM) contaminated debris. The EPA On-Scene Coordinator and EPA's hazmat contractor will mobilize to the site the week of October 9th and anticipate it to take four weeks to complete. The ACM-contaminated debris will be kept wet whenever it is disturbed to prevent any asbestos fibers from migrating. Rolloff boxes will be lined with heavy plastic. The waste will be loaded into the boxes, covered with the plastic liners, and sealed. The waste will be delivered to a nearby landfill which is permitted to accept ACM.

Location of Alamosa Asbestos Walsh Hotel

Site Objectives

  • Demolish Buildings
  • Ensure harmful levels of particulates and/or suspect ACM do not migrate offsite
  • Transport building debris as ACM to landfill
  • Add backfill, and grade to bring the ground-level back to the original elevation

Safety Message

  • EPA will use best practices and engineering techniques for asbestos removal for all on site activities. The ACM-contaminated debris will be kept wet whenever it is disturbed to prevent any potential asbestos fibers from migrating. Rolloff containers will be lined with 6 millimeter poly plastic (double lined). The waste will be loaded into the containers, covered with the plastic liners, and sealed. The waste will be delivered to the San Luis landfill which is permitted to accept ACM.
  • East Bound State Highway 160, will close one lane for truckers to access the site for ACM container load-out and transport to landfill. Traffic control and spotter assistance is provided by the City. The road closure is required to ensure the safety of the public during the demolition part of the project.
  • Additional safety considerations and notifications will be made for falling debris during demolition and electrical lines located on site.

Operational Period Objectives

Reporting Period: November 5-November 8, 2023

Current Operations

For this operational period, Site operations will consist of the following tasks;

  • Transport of ACM to the landfill was completed on Friday Nov. 3, and backfilling operations continue. Backfill operations are expected to be completed by Tuesday Nov. 7.
  • After backfill operations are complete, traffic control and road closures will end by Nov. 8 and normal traffic patters will resume on East Bound State Highway 160.
  • Following backfill operations, EPA personnel and contractors will demobilize from the Site. This will also include  removing equipment the on-site office. Any additional  equipment on site will remain on site until vendors can pick it up.

Photo Gallery

Description: Walsh Hotel from the west side before demotion. Fencing installed around the property for public safety. The fencing has asbestos information placards attached to ensure the public awareness that asbestos work is being conducted inside the fenced areas and only authorized personnel are allowed inside.

Date taken: 10/17/2023

Description: Walsh Hotel from the west side of building before demolition.

Date taken: 10/17/2023

Description: Demolition progresses on first section of the building. The ACM-contaminated debris will be kept wet whenever it is disturbed to prevent any potential asbestos fibers from migrating.

Date taken: 10/17/2023

Description: Crews line containers with 6 millimeter poly plastic (double lined). The waste will be loaded into the containers, covered with the plastic liners, and sealed. The waste will be delivered to a landfill which is permitted to accept ACM.

Date taken: 10/18/2023

Description: Demolition operations continue as crews are working from the front of the hotel to the back. Air monitoring stations continue to run along perimeter during operations.

Date taken: 10/18/2023

Description: Crews working on demolition of the front upper wall of the hotel. Crews are working from the front to the back of the hotel.

Date taken: 10/19/2023

Description: Crews continuing demolition progress on the hotel. Continuing wetting operations throughout to prevent any potential asbestos fibers from migrating.

Date taken: 10/19/2023

Description: View of hotel from across from HWY 160 with one lane road closure to allow truckers to access the site for ACM container load-out and transport to landfill.

Date taken: 10/21/2023

Description: Demolition nearing completion. Waste will continue to be loaded and delivered to the San Luis landfill which is permitted to accept ACM.

Date taken: 10/23/2023

Description: View of site from the alley looking south towards Hwy 160. Demolition on Walsh Hotel building is complete. Second phase continues with load-out and transport of ACM material to landfill.

Date taken: 10/24/2023

Description: ACM debris continues to be consolidated for load-out and transport to landfill. EPA will maintain wetting operations throughout to prevent any potential asbestos fibers from migrating.

Date taken: 10/28/2023

Description: Daily progress indicates only one more day of loading out ACM debris and disposing at the designated landfill. Backfill operations will commence tomorrow Nov. 2, 2023.

Date taken: 11/1/2023