Claremont — The City Council has authorized Planning and Development Director Nancy Merrill to pursue funding options to pay for remediation works at 56 Opera House Square, an early 20th century building next to city hall that has been vacant for about 25 years.

Merrill told the council that the phase 1 brownfields assessment has been completed and the estimated cost to remove asbestos and an oil tank in the basement of the three-story building is $40,000.

Merrill said she has identified some possible sources for the money including the Capital Regional Development Council in Concord and also will reach out to the Department of Environmental Services.

The city also is pursuing a $500,000 community development block grant for renovations to the building and the adjacent Farwell Block. Merrill said they should learn in December whether the city has received the grant.

The environmental assessment of the historic building was done earlier this year and included sampling of potential contaminants. It was paid for through the Upper Valley Lake Sunapee Regional Planning Commission’s Brownfields Assessment Program.

The remediation does not include removal of lead paint at this time, Merrill said.