The Lawrence County land bank approved two contractors for demolition at its weekly meeting this past Thursday.

The land bank’s goal is to clean up abandoned and dilapidated properties throughout the county, turn the properties around and put them back on the market at fair market value.

Stephen Burcham, head of the land bank, said the land bank is also in contact with three more demolition contractors besides the two that were approved.

Prior to demolition, however, each property must be inspected for asbestos. The properties with approved demolition contractors have already been inspected, but Burcham said he and land bank asbestos coordinator Michael Shepherd are supposed to meet with four asbestos companies Feb. 1 in order to move forward with other properties.

Once a property is inspected for asbestos, with samples taken, a report must be sent to the EPA for approval before contracts are awarded.