The Gilmer Inn’s demolition is about to begin.
Jabari Edwards Jr, project manager for J5, said asbestos removal, which is being handled by EAC Environmental, is nearly complete. Edwards and other representatives spoke to local media Tuesday afternoon during a tour of the Gilmer Inn.
The city awarded an $181,000 contract to Southern Civil Contracting to tear down the Gilmer Inn and adjacent Brumley sporting goods store.
The city purchased both properties in December for a combined $675,000.
“We plan on starting demolition next week,” Edwards said. “They’re only planning to take three weeks to complete.”
As far as what will happen to the property once the buildings are removed, Joe Dillon, the city’s public information officer, said no concrete plans are in place. Mayor Robert Smith has said in the past that the city hopes a developer will build something on the site.
J5 senior project manager Robyn Eastman said the lot will be cleared out to leave a green space. He said the buildings will be broken up and processed into rip-rap that the city will use to line a ditch. Dillon said the rip-rap will be used on a ditch on 14th Avenue North. Using the recycled concrete from the demolition should save the city about $260,000, according to Dillon.
Eastman said Southern Civil Engineering will use excavators to tear the buildings down.
Dillon said it will be a challenge to demolish the old sturdy buildings.
“Taking it down is going to be like taking down a bomb shelter,” Dillon said. “It’s poured concrete, and at the lower levels it’s three stories tall, plus an underground basement. It’s going to be quite a job.”
Dillon said the project is going smoothly. He said it’s important to remove the Gilmer not only for aesthetic purposes but because the abandoned building is a potential hazard, with its empty rooms.
“We’ve been very pleased with the progress of the project,” Dillon said. “It’s in a lot worse shape that it appears from the outside. It needs to come down. When the project is done we’ll be rid of an eyesore.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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