Rix: Rhodes Property Asbestos Mitigation Begins Today

WARWICK, RI — City Councilman Jeremy Rix warns residents of the area that the first step for h.a. Fisher Homes plan to build 30 single-family houses at the old Rhodes School property begins today with demolition and asbestos mitigation.

So, Rix warned neighbors and the public in general to avoid the property for the next several weeks until that part of the project is finished.

“For safety, please do not go onto the Rhodes property until the mitigation process (perhaps as long as 6 – 8 weeks) is completed.  This mitigation process involves removing asbestos and other particles that can be invisible to the naked eye.  The process is highly regulated and closely monitored, and it’s safe in the neighborhood; but, because of the hazardous nature of the work, it would be a very bad idea to go in or near the Rhodes building during this time, and, the developer asks that people not enter the Rhodes property for their own safety during the mitigation process,” Rix wrote in an email to Norwood area residents.

A temporary gate has been installed to help prevent people from entering the property, he wrote.

Once the mitigation work is done, h.a. Fisher Homes plans to demolish the building before winter so construction of single-family houses can begin in the spring, Rix said.

“The demolition process will take about 2 weeks, and while it won’t be quiet, it will not involve any blasting or big wrecking ball.  The demolition, which will happen during the daytime of the approximately two weeks in question, will be required to follow best practices, including rodent extermination and dust control,” Rix said.

“We wouldn’t have such a positive result without the work of Mayor Solomon and the Planning Department to negotiate a higher price for the City and stipulations to benefit the neighborhood, the work of the City Council and Planning Board to respectively vet the sale and proposal, and the participation of so many neighbors to voice their concerns, priorities, and their hopes.  And, thank you to Hugh Fisher of h.a. Fisher Homes – not just for being the only bidder, but for being patient with the process for over two years, listening to neighbors, and being honest about what can and cannot be done,” Rix wrote.