SHAMOKIN - An environmental remediation company is removing asbestos from condemned homes along South Rock Street, marking the start of the demolition of seven homes destroyed by flooding in September 2011.
Forrester Environmental Inc., Bloomsburg, began working Wednesday, Code Officer Rick Bozza said.
When they're done, Vince Madonna Enterprises, Port Carbon, will knock down the homes.
Madonna submitted the lowest of eight bids to demolish the homes - $20,520 to take down a row of homes from 10 to 16 S. Rock St. as well as 44 and 48 S. Rock St., and $4,500 to fell 606 N. Third St.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had allocated $121,413 toward the project, which included $44,011.96 to pay for the acquisition of the properties. The remainder is to be used for demolition and disposal costs, legal fees, project management, land restoration and stabilization, engineering and design and appraisal services.
Following demolition, the land can only be planted with vegetation.
FEMA's deadline to complete the demolition of the seven structures is Sept. 7, which will mark the two-year anniversary of the flooding.