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A city assessment performed after the partial collapse of Lindy's Diner in Downtown sa国际传媒官网网页入口 has found that the historic building contains asbestos.

A city of sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Code Enforcement team conducted an evaluation of the structure after its walls collapsed Monday afternoon, the city said Wednesday in a news release.

An asbestos test found that fibrous minerals were detected in 鈥減ortions of the piping and flooring adhesive,鈥� according to Tim Walsh, spokesperson for the city. The debris pile from the collapse did not contain signs of asbestos.

The hazardous materials were secured, he added.

An initial review of the Bliss Building was completed, Walsh said, and city officials await a second opinion from an independent structural engineer to verify the findings.

Lindy's Diner owner Steve Vatoseow was not aware of the asbestos, adding that he had not been informed of the city鈥檚 findings until he was notified by the Journal.

鈥淚 should be aware of any findings they have,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not due diligence on their part.鈥�

Vatoseow stated that the asbestos was most likely due to the building's age, adding that the property had been tested before a movie was filmed inside the diner, and production crews determined that the building was asbestos-free. 

鈥淭hat鈥檚 how they constructed things back then, and it was built in 1905,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 would assume there鈥檚 asbestos in nearly every building Downtown. I don鈥檛 think it鈥檚 unique to my building.鈥�

Vatoseow believes the asbestos may have come from the diner's second story, which has been vacant since around 1975, when it operated as the Elgin Hotel, which housed 22 rooms.

He told the Journal in 2025 that he has not touched the upper portions of the building since the hotel closed down because it was out of code and would take a 鈥�considerable investment鈥� to repair.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of asbestos products in 1989, with the ban finalized in 2022. The Bliss Building, at 500 Central SW, was constructed in the early 1900s.

Vatoseow said Tuesday his goal is to preserve the building if possible.

The second review 鈥� set to be completed Thursday  鈥� will determine whether the property can be salvaged or will need to be demolished. 

鈥淥nce that review is complete, the city will share the confirmed results with the public,鈥� Walsh said.

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.