The demolition of Big Boy’s restaurant has been delayed following an inspection by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR) which found asbestos. Wright City was issued a notice of violation from DNR dated Jan. 26 following an inspection two days earlier of the city-owned property, located at 13200 Veterans Memorial Parkway. According to DNR officials, it was discovered that the city failed to have an asbestos survey performed and did not inform the state agency at least 10 days prior to the start of the demolition project. When a DNR official inspected the property Jan. 24, the former restaurant building had been partially razed. According to the DNR letter, the inspection was conducted to assess compliance with state and federal air pollution laws and regulations. The violations will be forwarded to the agency’s air pollution control program enforcement section where a fine may be assessed. Alderman Jim Schuchmann said the city had an environmental study performed on the property prior to finalizing the purchase in January 2011. He added that DNR officials expressed it did not meet their specifications. The study apparently did not address whether or not asbestos was present. “The report we got when we purchased it, everything was fine and we can purchase it,” Schuchmann told The Record. “We thought we had a clean bill of health. That was prior to purchase. Then we found out recently that it was not the correct study.” Since learning of the DNR violations, the city has received three proposals to remove asbestos from the structure. Aldermen at last Thursday’s meeting postponed awarding a bid to give them more time to review the asbestos abatement proposals. They expect to award a bid at the next board meeting Thursday, March 8. Until then, the demolition project will remain at a standstill. Upon reviewing the violation notice from DNR, the city was required to immediately stop all demolition work, have an asbestos survey conducted of the building and two dumpsters that contain demolition waste, and develop a new demolition plan incorporating any special conditions identified from the asbestos survey. Once a popular stop for local residents and highway travelers, Big Boy’s was closed by the Missouri Department of Revenue in April 2005 because the owners failed to pay state sales taxes. Since then, the building sat vacant and fell into disrepair. The city paid $170,000 for the 2.5-acre parcel. City officials envision constructing a new city hall and police department facility on the property, though a time frame has yet to be determined on how soon that could occur. In July, Wright City officials decided to postpone hiring a company to raze the former Big Boy’s restaurant due to budgetary constraints after reviewing project bids ranging from $22,600 to $32,120. City crews continued to clean up the property until beginning to raze the former restaurant building in January.