Review of Pickard Hall demolition plan could take 15 months
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
A federal review of the University of Missouri's plan to demolish a building with radioactive contamination could take until 2025 to complete.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission began its technical review this summer for the plan to demolish Pickard Hall. The NRC said its review of the different aspects of MU's plan could take it until January 2025 to complete.
The school announced in 2019 that it would get approval from the NRC to demolish the building, which involves handling of various radioactive material in the building. Faculty and students worked with radium there in the 1930s, leading to several parts of the building to become contaminated.
ABC 17 News obtained the university's plans submitted to the NRC. The school plans to demolish the building on the Francis Quadrangle during summer, when fewer people are on campus.
The contractor handling the project would use handheld scanners for radioactivity of the rubble, and haul contaminated material to facilities in Utah and Texas.
An MU spokesman said the project will cost $11.5 million-$12 million.
NRC project manager Bill Lin said he and the staff would review the plan to make sure safety rules are followed. The school would have two years to complete the project, once the agency gives its approval.
"It's common for the course for them to propose something and then for me to ask questions," Lin said. "And then once that's settled out, that will be made publicly available."
Lin said all radioactive spots of the building have been identified. He said the public does not face any risk of exposure.
Basi said the school has not yet decided what could replace Pickard Hall. He said leaders would make sure the future use of the spot fits within the look and feel of the historic quad.
