Salinas Court House Closed Again Over Asbestos -- MesoLink.org -- 04-26-06

The Salinas court house had to be closed again earlier this week due to high asbestos readings. It was the north wing that had to be closed, and this is where seven out of the ten court rooms in the whole facility are housed. Overnight asbestos readings showed high asbestos levels, thus forcing the closure of the wing.

Once again many hearings had to be rescheduled as a result of the closure and the loss of seven court rooms. Other cases were moved on to different locations, but most had to be re-arranged. It was reported that the asbestos levels were ‘slightly elevated’ and were present on the first floor of the north wing as well as in the basement.

The north wing of the building has been under renovation and so far this part of the court house has had to be closed on a number of occasions for the same problem. This has caused the same type of disruptions in the past, with many cases having to be rescheduled.

The north wing of the court house is undergoing renovations, and as part of this asbestos is being removed as well as more court rooms being added to that part of the building.