Alterra officials could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Williams, the executive director of St. Louis Development Corp., said any company involved in asbestos abatement on the project would have to be certified to do so by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

In addition, according to city TIF rules in place at the time Alterra agreement was passed, a project getting such aid must set a goal of at least 15 percent of all labor hours be performed by apprentices in a federally-approved program.

Williams said Alterra had indicated to him that the Texas company would work with a local site demolition firm.

Alterra also told him, Williams said, that there would be both union and non-union employees used on the project.

Brandon Flinn, business manager for the Laborers Union’s eastern Missouri district council, said when union officials met with Alterra, “they were evasive on that.” Two such sessions were organized by Mayor Lyda Krewson.

Krewson could not be reached for comment Thursday. In an estimate board discussion of the project last week, she pointed out that the city is “a major investor in the project” via the TIF.