The Reitz Union is starting to feel the effects of its old age, and asbestos is one of them.
Executive Director Eddie Daniels gave a presentation at Tuesday night's Student Senate meeting describing maintenance repairs of the Reitz Union, which would cost about $42.5 million over the next 15 years.
One necessary repair includes removing asbestos above the ceilings, in the hot water piping and in the duct work of the Reitz Union Hotel.
The total cost of removing the asbestos, which lies undisturbed in the building's walls, would be about $120,000.
Unite Party Sen. Kara Olesky said she did not feel comfortable knowing that asbestos was present in the hotel's walls and feared for the health of hotel guests.
Bill Burton, an environmental health and safety specialist at UF, said asbestos only becomes dangerous if it is disturbed during construction or renovations of buildings. Then, the fibers are released into the air and could cause health problems for the people who breathe them in.
Although the asbestos does not pose an immediate threat, Daniels said its removal is high on his list of priorities.
He said the hotel budget should be able to handle the cost of the removal, but he is unsure how the Reitz Union will pay for other repairs, including replacing one of the building's main transformers and making the lighting system more energy efficient.
"So, you know, I don't have easy answers right now, especially in these economic times," Daniels said.
He said the union would have to rely on Student Activity and Service fees and the money it makes from vendors and food sales.
Orange and Blue Party Sen. Jon Ossip said the asbestos removal was not high on his priority list because he would rather see the union become more energy efficient.
He said the $150,000 senators voted to give to the administration at Tuesday's meeting should have been used for Reitz Union repairs.
