BASTROP CO., Texas — After employees were removed from the historic old Bastrop County Jail last Wednesday due to asbestos concerns, air testing shows that there was no airborne asbestos fibers in the building.
County Judge Paul Pape says the building was damaged by Hurricane Harvey. After results of an Austin Enviro Group assessment showed some plaster containing a “small percentage of asbestos” was loosened and displaced, evacuations ensued.
Today, Feb. 21, Pape said after the test was conducted, workers were able to clean and remove much of the furniture and fixtures from the offices as well as work items like computers, files and desk contents.
Pape said the jail will remain closed and off-limits pending the development of a plan to abate or remediate asbestos in the wall plaster and flooring.
With all County functions now relocated, they did not set a deadline for this work to completed.
He said the Commissioners Court will be considering options and developing a plan soon.
Pape said in a previous press release he asked all departments to vacate their offices in the historic jail once he became aware of the asbestos testing results.
The building in the courthouse complex is normally home to the the county’s Indigent Care program, Prescription Assistance and Civil Process offices. It’s also where the grand jury convenes.
"Indigent Health Care and Prescription Assistance are at the Tuck Building, 104 Chestnut St, in Bastrop. Civil Process staff are working out of temporary offices in the jail complex. Arrangements have been made to hold juries in other rooms of the Courthouse. All offices are now open for business as usual," Pape said in a statement.
Pape's statement from Feb. 14:
Our main concern in this matter is the health and safety of our employees and the public. Every supporting department, including IT, Purchasing, the Auditor’s Office, the Office of Emergency Management, Engineering, and General Services is helping relocate staff and get the displaced services up and running. We believe that all will be ready to open for business by Tuesday, February 20th at 8:00 am at the Grady Tuck Building, 104 Loop 150, Bastrop (the Emergency Management offices).
Any questions, comments, or concerns can be addressed to Pape's office here.