Arkansas City Collapse Cleanup Agreement Reached

October 19, 2011

Morrilton, Ark., has reached an agreement with a clean-up company to remove debris from downtown buildings that collapsed in May, killing a 2-year-old girl.

Little Rock television station KTHV reports that the Morrilton City Council agreed Monday to a bid of $68,000 for Controlled Environmental Solutions Inc. of Russellville to haul away the debris.

The owner of one building, Brian Andrews has agreed to pay $30,000 toward the cleanup. Another owner, Dr. J.J. Magie, also agreed to pay $30,000 and give land to the city.

The parties still have to formally agree to the pact. Once they sign, the city has pledged to drop a lawsuit against the property owners.

Officials say the cleanup will be complicated because of asbestos in the debris.

The buildings collapsed on May 16.