Asbestos abatement has started at the old Knoxville Middle School Building.

The abatement began Monday and it is expected to last approximately ten days. According to KCSD Superintendent Cassi Person, It is vitally important that the building stays secured and only the trained crews go into that space throughout this process. The building needs to have all asbestos completely abated before they can move forward with the demolition project. The KCSD and the City of Knoxville are hoping for a potential agreement in the future to use the site of the old middle school for a new city public safety building and city hall. Knoxville City Manager Heather Ussery says they remain in the discussion phase as it relates to the old middle school property.

“We started to have conversations and engage with the school to possibly acquire that property and as we move forward we hope to continue that conversation. There are still some things that need to fall into place for the city.”

Asbestos abatement is the first step for the demolition of the building. The former middle school is located at 102 N Lincoln Street in Knoxville.