The Worthington Times

A solution to the Williams House problem is in the works.

Last week a public hearing was held regarding a proposal to apply for a grant to pay for the removal of asbestos from the Williams House property in downtown Worthington.

The Southern Indiana Development Commission (SIDC) will prepare the application and submit it for the Town of Worthington who is making the request on behalf of Greene County. The county owns the property.

There seems to be no funding available for demolition purposes. However, asbestos is an environmental danger and the Williams House contains asbestos. Funds are available to eliminate this hazard. So the grant will be asking for $300,000 to fund an asbestos-removal project.

The process of removing the asbestos would result in the removal of the front buildings on the property. Since no asbestos has been found in the small carriage house toward the rear, it would be left standing.

In a special meeting this week, the Town Council voted to go forward with the grant application. It will be submitted quickly but approval will take some time.

Council President Hal Harp says they are hoping the funding will come through in time to complete this project before the Downtown Renovation Project is completed.