-8-
B. Remodeling Plans
In 1985 and 1986, Norwest Nebraska consolidated its "back
room" operations at the Douglas Street building. Pursuant to that
process, Norwest Nebraska undertook to determine the most efficient
means for providing more space to accommodate the additional
operations personnel within the building. The planning process
indicated that the building needed a major remodeling. (The
building had not been remodeled since its construction; Norwest
Nebraska usually remodels its banks every 10 to 15 years.) Thus, by
the end of 1986, petitioner and Norwest Nebraska had decided to
completely remodel the Douglas Street building. In December 1986,
both petitioner and Norwest Nebraska approved a preliminary budget
of $2,738,000 for carpet, furniture, and improvements.
C. Use of Asbestos-Containing Materials in the Douglas Street
Building
The Douglas Street building was constructed with asbestos-
containing materials as its main fire-retardant material. (The
local fire code required that buildings contain fireproofing
material.) Asbestos-containing materials were sprayed on all
columns, steel I-beams, and decking between floors. The health
dangers of asbestos were not widely known when the Douglas Street
building was constructed in 1969, and asbestos-containing materials
were generally used in building construction in Omaha, Nebraska.
A commercial office building's ventilation system removes
existing air from a room through a return air plenum as new air is
Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Next
Last modified: May 25, 2011