Hastings Provides Asbestos Update

The public is invited to an open house 5-6:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Hastings Public Library at 314 N. Denver Ave. for an update about the process to remove asbestos from the former Hastings Middle School.   

The City of Hastings was awarded $475,000 in Brownfield Assessment cleanup funds from the Environmental Protection Agency in May 2025 for work in the former Hastings Middle School at 714 W. Fifth St.

The asbestos abatement is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026. 

During the Sept. 10 open house meeting at the library, City of Hastings Development Services staff members will provide information about the Brownfield Grant program and what the public will see during the cleanup process. 

Hastings was among 207 communities selected in May 2025 to receive 214 grant awards for Brownfield Assessments, Revolving Loan Fund Cleanup Grants and revolving Load Fund Supplemental Funding. Combined, the EPA grant awards total more than $224 million.

The City and Community Redevelopment Authority worked with the South Central Economic Development District to apply in fall 2024 to the EPA Brownfield Program for a cleanup grant to remediate the asbestos and other contamination that is likely in the old middle school building.