The Austin City Council took another step forward in cleaning up the downtown fire site by awarding asbestos abatement and demolition bids Monday.

The low bid for abatement was $9,999 from Abestrol, Inc., while the low demolition bid was $107,600 from BCM Construction.

Both were approved 5-0, with councilman John Martin not in attendance and Marian Clennon abstaining on both votes.

Clennon said she felt that not enough information was provided to council members on the bids from the city public works department, which she said has been an ongoing problem.

With the bids awarded, the city will now look to quickly get to work.

City engineer Jon Erichson said previously that asbestos removal and other environmental work is targeted to begin by Aug. 24. Demolition would then be scheduled to begin Sept. 7 and wrap-up by Oct. 2.

When done, the Main Street lot will be leveled and covered with grass seed, Erichson said.

Getting to this point took a settlement between property owner Maria Leon and the city, which occurred June 23.

Previously, Leon had denied the city’s requests that she clean up the site, which the city deemed “hazardous.”

The settlement allows the city to ultimately assess costs to Leon but allows Leon to review and approve bids and costs as they come in.

Erichson said Monday that Leon had been presented the various bid details beforehand but had not specifically indicated her approval or denial.

Erichson and city attorney David Hoversten said the project could legally proceed.

The cause of the Jan. 15 fire is still being investigated following a February announcement by police and fire officials that they suspected arson. No suspects have been named publicly.