HomeMy WebLinkAbout015 DEMOLITION PERMITDEMOLITION PERMIT
PROPERTY OWNER OWNER’S REPRESENTATIVE
Stephanie Newman Cecilia Vaniman AIA Emeritus
522 North 5th Avenue A R C H I T E C T
Bozeman, MT 59715 5020 Westlake Road
Bozeman, MT 59718
This is the narrative for a Demolition Permit for the complete removal of the home, some
fencing, sidewalks, driveway, trees and site vegetation located at the address of 522 North 5th
Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715. The following is a detail of the facts regarding this property:
A fire at the lower level of this dwelling happened on August 31, 2023. It was a massive fire,
caused by the original main power panel. It took the fire department several attempts and
numerous hours to get the fire out. Detailed reports by the Bozeman Fire Department are
attached. Everything in the basement was destroyed including the owner’s art studio, wood type
cases, flat files full of drawings, a lifetime collection of artwork, appliances and the wood
structure itself. The structural engineer hired by the insurance provider, Liberty Mutual,
determined that this was a total loss due to the structural, smoke, and water damage. I reviewed
the conditions of the floor joists, beams, columns and structure and concurred that the building
could not be salvaged.
The smell in the house was so awful that mitigation firms that worked in the building could be
there only a few hours at a time. In addition, asbestos containing building materials were
suspected due to the age of the building (1952). Ingraham Environmental out of Butte, MT
completed the testing and evaluation of the building. They took 16 samples which were
sent to a CEI Laboratory and were tested by Polarized Light Microscopy. Existing
friable and non-friable asbestos materials were identified, and a comprehensive report
was provided.
Certified Asbestos Contractors removed the asbestos including friable and non-friable
materials. Friable asbestos was handled in specific protocol and taken to a certified
landfill in Helena. Non-friable asbestos also has specific handling protocol but was
taken to the local landfill in Logan. The transite siding was removed, bagged and
disposed of at the Logan landfill per their protocol for that material. Work was
coordinated with Whittier School to get this work done when the children were not in
school across the street, during Spring Break, March 11-15, 2024. All asbestos
containing building materials are now removed and legally disposed of.
The paper collections in the basement studio had mold due to the massive amounts of water that
was introduced by the fire department. All molded paper, books, artwork, etc. were removed by
a mitigation company, who were fully suited-up, wearing masks and gloves. All moldy material
was bagged and disposed of legally. The rest of the materials in the home, including clothes,
furniture, linens, all fabrics, etc., were saturated with smoke and taken to the Logan Landfill.
Very little was able to be salvaged.
The only materials now remaining on the inside of the building are the wall studs, wood roof
framing, severely damaged floor framing, and wood floors. This all has smoke damage, and it is
my opinion and that of the mitigation companies that this smell will never go away. Even if it is
painted, the smell comes back during high humidity. The foundation and basement walls are
damaged beyond repair due to the massive amounts of water introduced fighting the fire.
The structure has no viable economic or useful life remaining. The wood cannot be re-used due
to the fire and smoke damage. The structure as it now exists is a threat to public safety if anyone
goes into it, and no reasonable repairs or alterations will remove the threat or smell. The
remaining structure is not re-usable.
Please see Site Plans for existing structure location and proposed new buildings. These shows
property dimensions, location of buildings, setbacks, and utilities.
Respectfully submitted,
Cecilia R. Vaniman AIA Emeritus
A R C H I T E C T