Lockheed will move families temporarily

TALLEVAST - Officials from Lockheed Martin insist that the demolition of two buildings at a former beryllium plant in Tallevast is not a health risk to nearby residents.

The company has explained to the community the extensive precautions it plans to take to prevent the release of beryllium and asbestos.

But after hearing repeated concerns from residents, Lockheed officials have agreed to temporarily relocate residents of the community blighted by 200 acres of polluted groundwater to hotels until demolition is complete.

Any resident of Tallevast who does not want to remain in the community is eligible to be relocated, Lockheed officials said Wednesday. About 35 residents have already asked to be moved. More of the community of about 80 homes are expected to follow.

Hotels close to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will be used as accommodation. Residents will be able to return home as necessary throughout their stay. Demolition of the buildings is expected to be complete before Christmas.

Buildings No. 4 and 5 at 1600 Tallevast Road were once a central part of the former American Beryllium Co. plant where local workers built parts that were used to make weapons.

Now empty, the buildings were the source of the groundwater pollution that has beset Tallevast, a mostly African-American community in southern Manatee community.

Lockheed, the company responsible for cleaning up the contamination, plans to conduct extensive air monitoring throughout demolition to detect any release of pollutants.

Workers will also be coating building materials with liquid to trap particles. And they plan to use industrial vacuums inside the two buildings before dismantling them from the inside. Every piece of debris will be wrapped before being taken offsite.

"The beryllium has been trapped; there is a limited amount of asbestos," said Tom Greer, a spokesman for Lockheed. "As the building is taken down, all those materials are contained."

Lockheed's offer was welcomed by Tallevast residents who have harbored a distrust of Lockheed after the company waited almost four years to tell residents that groundwater around the plant was contaminated. During that time, residents drank, cooked and washed with contaminated well water.

That led residents to file several lawsuits against Lockheed and other companies that operated at the site, seeking damages for health issues and falling property values.

"It's a good thing they're getting people out of harm's way," said Wanda Washington, vice president of community group FOCUS. "If you're scared, sometimes you have to pack your bags and get out."

The offer from Lockheed is another sign of a more responsive approach by the company after a leak of contaminated water in August.

Company officials have begun twice monthly meetings with FOCUS and are in talks to permanently relocate two property owners adjacent to the former plant.

"It seems they are determined to restore our faith in them," Washington said. "But this is just a start. There are many more hurdles to come."