NIU’s Health Services building will close its doors and begin temporary relocation for a one-year, $3.8-million asbestos removal and remodeling project.

Steve Cohen, Student Health Advisory Council chairman, said the center’s 100 faculty and staff will relocate by the end of May to other sites, possibly the Holmes Student Center or the DeKalb Clinic, 217 Franklin Ave.

Eddie Williams, NIU vice president for finance and planning, said regular air samples taken by Parkland Laboratories of Springfield indicate the airborne asbestos levels in the health center are below the danger point set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

owever, the asbestos fireproofing must be removed before it deteriorates and prevents needed maintenance to other parts of the health center, Williams said.

Cohen said asbestos levels have not increased, but the protective coating might eventually disintegrate, releasing the cancer-causing fibers into the air.

“There is absolutely no danger now, but we want to take care of this before it becomes a crisis,” he said.

Cohen said the health advisory council members’ main concern with the move is making sure students have continued access during remodeling to all of the services currently offered through the health center.

Council members also are concerned with helping the staff adjust to the move, he said.

“It’s unavoidable that we have to move, but we want to ensure that students continue to receive the services they deserve and pay for with their fees,” Cohen said.

But “regardless of where the health services are moved, its very important that all the clinical areas remain together for continuity of service,” he said.

Otherwise, someone with a broken ankle might have to go to one location for examination, get sent somewhere else for an X-ray, and return for treatment, Cohen said.

The center receives about 38,000 patient visits each year.