The project to construct a medical facility in Lansford now includes the demolition of another building, located on a lot that the developer hopes to use as parking.

However, the Department of Environmental Protection has temporarily stopped work because of asbestos.Crews started demolition work this week on a one-story building located at 100 W. Ridge St. It is located directly across the street from the former Palace Theater, which was demolished last fall.Both properties are owned by developer Joseph Bennett, who wants to build a medical center at the old Palace.Work on the site temporarily stopped until Bennett or his contractor take asbestos shingles off the building. The demolition contractor on the project, the Building Recyclers, received all the necessary permits to take down the building before work began.During an inspection earlier this week, a DEP official found that shingles on the building contained asbestos.The agency issued an order on Thursday giving Bennett seven days to come up with a new plan to remove the asbestos and complete the demolition. He has until next Thursday to submit the plan.On Wednesday, before the stop order from DEP, Bennett visited a Lansford Council meeting and predicted that DEP would be shutting down work soon.He told council that the demolition contractor was thinking of leaving the project because of the pressure.“I have every desire to complete this project,” he said. “My contractor is saying, we’re not willing to do this project with all the aggravation.”Council President Martin Ditsky said he was pleased to see demolition taking place at the building, which was abandoned and previously housed a staffing agency.“I know I was so happy the building was coming down. It has been an eyesore,” he said.Resident Bob Silver questioned how the project could be stopped if Bennett has the permits.“How can somebody make a complaint if the man has a permit to do the job,” he asked.Bennett issued a letter to council that said he would like to give the property back to the borough, half-demolished building and all.The board’s solicitor, Michael Greek, advised council to refer the matter to their code enforcement officer, Lehigh Valley Inspection Services, and tell them that the building is in dangerous condition. The code enforcement officer had not responded as of Thursday afternoon.“You need to direct this correspondence to your code enforcement officer, and have him issue an enforcement notice to have him complete demolition of the property. The property is in a dangerous condition right now,” Greek said.