A Milwaukee demolition and environmental remediation firm has been fined more than a quarter of a million dollars for improperly handling asbestos during demolition of the former Solvay Coke facility on the city's near south side.

Lake States Industrial Services Inc. was ordered by Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Elsa Lamelas Sept. 25 to pay forfeitures and costs totaling $275,000 in an asbestos enforcement case prosecuted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Lake States was hired by Golden Marina Causeway L.L.C., to demolish buildings and structures at the former Solvay Coke & Gas Co. facility, 311 E. Greenfield Ave.

Between May and September 2004, Lake States demolished buildings and structures on the site that contained asbestos. During inspections of the asbestos abatement work between May and September 2004, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources observed "chronic" asbestos abatement regulation violations.

Lake States was found guilty after a trial on Aug. 22.

The state previously obtained a judgment of $40,000 against Golden Marina Causeway. Golden Marina had planned to build a $1.5 billion complex with offices, condominiums, retail shops and a marina at the contaminated site that's bordered by Greenfield Avenue, railroad tracks and the Kinnickinnic River. Golden Marina sold the 46-acre site earlier this year to Kinnickinnic Development Group L.L.C., of Waukegan, Ill.