Doug Adkins, community revitalization director, said he was told by a Cincinnati company, Reserections Inc., which is dismantling the former First Baptist Church, 119 S. Main St., that additional asbestos was discovered in the basement of the church that was severely burned in 2006 and has been vacant since.

When the company inspected the property, located in the South Main Street Historic District, much of the back wall had collapsed and fallen into the basement, Adkins said. That’s why, the contractors told Adkins, they didn’t discover the asbestos until recently.

The contractors said the cost of removing the asbestos was estimated at $51,000, and financially, it could afford only $12,000. They told Adkins the city needed to pay the rest of the cost, or they were abandoning the project. Adkins told council the city would have to pay $13,500 with money already set aside for demolition, and the Ohio Moving Forward Grant would match the $25,500 to come up with the needed $51,000.

Adkins said council either could agree to pay the additional money or let the property “sit.” He called it “not an ideal situation.”

He estimated the total cost to remove the structure at $110,000 to $150,000.

When she was told that, Councilwoman Ann Mort said the $13,500 price tag “sounds like a bargain.”

“A reluctant bargain,” Adkins added.

Les Landen, the city’s law director, said the city could call the contractor’s bluff and see if it would abandon the project, but added: “There is a risk to take.”

Councilman Josh Laubach said he was concerned that if the city spent additional funds to tear down the church, what would stop others in the city from seeking similar financial support.

“This isn’t such a cut and dry thing,” he said. “I can’t say I’m comfortable…this is endless.”

Councilman A.J. Smith said he too was concerned about setting a precedence.

Mort said the church must be torn down because it’s located on a major thoroughfare in the city and it’s important to have “ welcoming and clean” entrances into the city.

The motion passed five to two with Smith and Laubach voting no.

Years ago, John Phillips said he planned to convert the church into a training center for young musicians in honor of his niece, Rachel Joy Scott, who was killed in the Columbine shooting. Phillips and his family moved to Nashville and the project never started.

Two years ago, Ed Hall said he was going to purchase the property for $6,000 and open an art gallery, museum or other business in the church.

After the asbestos is cleaned up and the church is disassembled, the building will be shipped to Texas. The sanctuary and bell tower will be reassembled as the centerpiece of a shopping square that David and Tara Camp are developing in Bee Cave, just west of Austin, Texas. The Camps have a store called Revival that uses the slogan “Divinely Inspired Home Design.” They sell new furniture, gifts, and vintage items, such as old doors, and provide design services and art classes