City’s Bangs Avenue School Scheduled to Re-Open September
By JOANNE L. PAPAIANNI
 Coaster Photo: The Bangs Avenue School in Asbury Park has been closed since last year after asbestos was found there. |
Mark Cowell, financial representative from the state Department of Education to the Asbury Park Board of Education, said he believes the Bangs Avenue School will reopen in September.
Cowell said recently there are two areas that need to be addressed: roof repairs and asbestos removal.
Work on the roof has been approved by Monmouth County Superintendent of Schools Eugenia Lawson and the districts architect, Schoor Architects, are putting together a contract for the repairs.
Cowell said he asked the states permission to repair the roof on the school which at one time was slated for demolition under the now defunct School Construction Corporation.
The SCC is now known by a different name, but Cowell said the demolition of the Bangs Avenue School could be as much as eight years away.
Cowell said he is anxious to have the roof repaired and have the asbestos taken out of the school so workers can begin painting the inside of the school beginning, at least, in June.
Cowell said some windows on the school, which has been vacant since last June when the asbestos was discovered when a ceiling collapsed, have been broken by children.
He said the windows were replaced to cut down on the vandalism.
It starts to fester, he said. And police have been riding by.
Cowell said the asbestos removal which will begin right after the roof repairs, will cost $200,000.
Cowell said with part of the roof open, moisture has gotten into the building and he is concerned that a mold problem might be created.
Students from Bangs Avenue School were divided and sent to other city school.
When asked if he expects the Bangs Avenue School to be open for classes in September Cowell said, absolutely.
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