Old Acme Power Plant Building To Be Deconstructed After Asbestos Removal

The old Acme Power Plant Building will not be reused once asbestos clean-up is completed, but pieces of the building could be put to use elsewhere.

The Sheridan County Conservation District Board of Trustees recently decided that there are no feasible uses for the building, plus portions of the roof have collapsed and some walls are becoming unstable.

The Board said it would be more efficient and economical if the building were deconstructed once asbestos removal is completed.

As long as the asbestos remains, all pieces of the building have to be considered asbestos-contaminated, hence nothing can be removed from the site, until it is deemed safe.

District Manager Carrie Rogaczewski says the board recognizes that the area along the Tongue River where the building is located is important and the plan is to save as much of the area as possible.

“We’re still committed to maintaining or preserving, capturing the historical importance of it, it just won’t be done with a building intact. The youth expectations for that site have always been, at least since we’ve been involved with it, to ensure public access, protect the water and land quality and capture that historical importance and we’re still committed to that.”

Rogaczewski adds she is hopeful that bid requests for asbestos removal within the building can start soon, and the actual work could start in the fall.

The power plant closed in the mid-1970’s.