Old high school expenses to top $137,000

As strategic blasting of the thick concrete foundation began Tuesday, the Ritzville City Council weighed its options for the removal of the debris.

Ultimately the council voted unanimously to pay Eastside Wood Recycling up to $35,000 to remove the debris and haul in clean fill dirt to backfill the massive hole left from the demolition of the building.

The expense includes $25,000 for the hauling of the debris and the fill dirt, and $5,000 in equipment fees for the loader needed to complete the work.

Also, there will be up to 40 additional loads of backfill needed, at a cost of $125 per load.

City Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins estimates that the total cost to the city for the demolition project will be $137,000.

Jeremy Walker of Eastside Wood Recycling has handled the majority of the demolition and cleanup of the site.

In Walker’s estimate for the new phase of work, he noted he would donate his time and equipment to help city crews remove large stumps from some trees that were uprooted during the recent storm.

He also noted that the debris from building was massive. He hauled 222 10-yard box truck loads of debris away from the site already.