The fuss over dust as building renovation continues

Those of you who saw a large cloud of dust billow through downtown Gonzales last week, don’t worry. In fact, chances are it’s something you’ve experienced many times before.

Since the revitalization of the Randle-Rather Building began scarcely a month ago, people have seen workers perched atop scaffolds in the midst of a complete makeover.

A large dust cloud blew through and along St. Paul Street last Thursday, scattering in a petulant frenzy along windows, whipping through the street like a rabid dust devil, and probably choking a lot of mosquitoes in the process. But, unlike the toxic smoke that has claimed the lives of many New Yorkers after the 9/11 attacks, officials say this is nothing to worry about.

In this instance, instead of saying “never forget,” it’s probably safe to say that we’ll be able to forget all about this — simply because there is no threat to anyone.

And as Workman Commercial (the contractor handling the restoration) Vice President Travis Thrift explains, stuff has to get messy before it gets clean.

“This is concrete dust from when we were hauling off concrete one day last week,” Thrift said. “We were following the safety protocols and OSHA regulations. We were also grinding out the old mortar, so there was probably some of that as well. There were no harmful materials.

“[This] happened on a day when they were loading up the old concrete that had been ground out. I don’t recall what the weather conditions were that day, but it is a good chance that some of it was blowing out,” he said.

Thrift confirmed that his company will have to repeat the process when they do the next side of the building, so chances are we’ll see more dust.

“I want to re-iterate that it’s just concrete dust — no hazardous materials in it or anything like that. It’s no different from when a truck is driving down a gravel road and is blowing dust up in the air,” he said.

County Judge David Bird is well aware of the concerns — those voiced by neighboring tenants and concerned citizens.

“They are re-pointing the mortar and the contractor is going to address the issue,” Bird said.

Last March, county commissioners voted to hire Workman Commercial Construction Services, Ltd. for $3,249,000. The project, which has a time frame of nine months, began in late April. Architect Tim Gescheidle said renovations will cover all four floors of the building, with the main focus being on the first floor lobby and the second floor.

“The third floor is going to have the least amount done,” Gescheidle said. “There is an area in the back — that used to be a room — that will be restored.”

Gescheidle elaborated that restrooms on all four floors will be renovated, as well as all air conditioning, heating and plumbing. Other renovations include work on electrical systems, sprinkler systems and adding a new roof.

“Also they’re cleaning and re-pointing all the brick,” he said. “The sidewalk is going to be redone because right now it doesn’t meet the handicap code. Then there’s the north side of the building, which needs drains put in because of all the rainwater over the years.”

So rest assured the next time you see a cloud of dust during the restoration of the Randle-Rather Building, it won’t be anything toxic. Just imagine that you’re driving behind some big truck on an old county road.