The Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. has awarded a $3.9 million contract to Project Development Inc. of Pittsburgh to remove asbestos from Memorial Auditorium.
Asbestos extraction is a key element in the redevelopment of the Aud into the $275 million Canal Side project.

Work is slated to begin Feb. 15 and be completed by Nov. 15, although harbor development officials built contingency funds into the contract that will allow Project Development to fast track the asbestos removal, so demolition can begin in early October.

"I'd like to see an Oct. 1 date of starting the destruction of the Aud, if all goes according to plan," said Jordan Levy, development corporation chairman.

The Aud and the General Donovan State Office Building are to be demolished and turned into shovel-ready development sites that anchor the proposed Canal Side project along the lower portion of Main Street in downtown Buffalo. Bass Pro Shops is expected to build a 200,000-square-foot "Outdoor World" store on the Aud site, with the oft-discussed outlet expected to open in 2010.

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