Developers say demolition unearthed asbestos and safety hazards at former Lafon Motel site

Paragon representatives recounted why they acquired and demolished the former Lafon Motel site, telling the URA that engineers found multiple buildings at risk of collapse and asbestos during demolition work.

John Block described police calls, evidence of drug use and a fire in the front building as part of the site history, calling the property a public‑health and safety hazard when Paragon became involved. “Our independent engineers, structural engineer also found that multiple buildings on the on the site were at risk of collapse,” he said, and noted asbestos testing that made demolition more complicated and expensive.

Presenters said the URA had approved Paragon’s redevelopment agreement in August 2022 (a vote reported in the presentation as 7–2) and that removing the hazard was a core reason the URA moved forward. The developers framed the current 50‑unit affordable housing plan as an effort to revitalize a portion of the URA district after remediation.