Guam Department Of Public Works Demolition Q&A
Release Date: January 20, 2003
Release Number: 1446-DemolitionQA
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Q. Why does GovGuam need a Demolition Plan?
A. The Guam Department of Public Works (GDPW) must assess the damage of thousands of buildings damaged when Typhoon Chata' an and Super Typhoon Pongsona struck the island of Guam last year. A significant number of these structures are unsafe and should be condemned and demolished.
Q. My house was severely damaged in Chata 'an. Does it fit into the demolition plan?
A. Yes. The GDPW will work with damaged and destroyed homes from both storms. GDPW will keep track of which storm did the damage so that the costs associated with demolition and debris removal can be allocated to the proper disaster.
Q. How will I know if I must demolish the building I own?
A. GDPW, in cooperation with the Mayors, will develop a list of private property suspected of being destroyed or having major damage. A structural engineer from GDPW will conduct a detailed inspection of the property to determine if it is unsafe. If the structure needs to be demolished the property owner will receive a written copy of the assessment by certified mail. A notice will be posted on the building that GDPW has found it unsafe and that it should not be entered.
Q. What if my property isn't on the list and I think it should be?
A. You may contact a representative at GDPW for more information and to request an inspection.
Q. I got a FEMA grant for housing assistance. Will the demolition of my home affect the grant?
A. No. The grant was made so that you could make appropriate repairs or find alternate housing.
Q. There is a badly damaged government building on my street. Will it also be demolished?
A. There is a Public Assistance/Infrastructure program covering publicly owned structures. Government-owned structures may be eligible for federal assistance for either repair or demolition.
Q. If I am notified that my building must be demolished, how much time will I have to do the work?
A. You are given 30 days following the notification to get a permit to demolish from the GDPW. If you get the demolition permit within the 30-day deadline GDPW will wave the permit fee. Permitted work must be completed within 30 days from the date the permit was issued.
Q. Should I demolish my own house and remove the debris, or will GDPW do it?
A. You can do the work yourself. The owner may use volunteer labor or an organized labor force. You must obtain a building permit to demolish the structure. If the owner fails to get a permit within the 30-day window, GDPW will proceed with the legal process under Guam law and arrange for the demolition.
Q. If I do the demolition with volunteers, what do I do with the debris?
A. You may take the debris to one of the open U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) debris reduction sites, or you may place it on the side of the road. The GDPW will be picking up debris from the road right-of-way. The USACE will arrange collection debris on secondary and smaller roads until March 20.
Q. If GDPW arranges demolition, will I have time to get my belongings out of the building?
A. Yes. If GDPW does the work, it will secure a signed Right of Entry agreement from you before conducting the demolition. GDPW will make sure you have removed all your belongings before they begin work.
Q. Whose responsibility is it to pay for the demolition and debris removal?
A. The cost of demolition is the responsibility of the property owner. There are several options for property owners to cover the cost of demolition: 1) Homeowners insurance or personal expense 2) Small Business Administration Loan or 3) lastly, GDPW will demolish your structure if you have no other funding sources.
Q. If GDPW does the work, how is the cost handled?
A. GDPW will determine whether the owner has insurance to cover the demolition and debris removal. If the owner does not have insurance and does not qualify for an SBA loan, GDPW, on a case-by-case basis, may provide relief from the owner's fiscal responsibility for demolition and disposal.
Q. What if I disagree with the GDPW's decision that my building should be demolished?
A. Guam law provides for an appeals process if you disagree. You will receive instructions on how to appeal when you receive the letter notifying you that the structure has been identified as unsafe and must be removed.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 27-Aug-2003 15:15:08