Asbestos inspections of flood-prone Des Plaines homes approved

Twenty-one flood-prone Des Plaines homes slated for demolition under a voluntary federal buyout program will be inspected for asbestos before being taken down.

The city council this week approved an agreement with Gabriel Laboratories at a cost not to exceed $20,000 for inspections and testing for asbestos. The city, due to receive $7.8 million in state and federal funds to pay for buyouts, also will be reimbursed for the asbestos work, officials said.

Most of the homes are located on Big Bend Drive near the Des Plaines River. The city plans to demolish the buildings after sales have been finalized, and the land will remain as open space.