The same company that took down the Daniels Showroom in the Longworth complex was recently hired to demolish The Livery Building.
“They did the Daniels showroom and did a good job for us,” said City Manager John Hanifan.
Smalley Construction was the low bidder of three companies that responded to the city’s request for proposals coming in at $56,000. It’s expected that they will begin work on the job during the first week in August following the Sounds and Sights Festival, which takes place July 24-26.
The Mack Building will stay, but the loading dock and the Livery Building are scheduled to be taken down.
“The goal is to have the projects butt up against each other, or within a day to two,” said Hanifan of the alleyway project.
The next step in the Longworth Alley project includes a parking lot, which will be placed where the Livery Building now stands. Expected are about 16 spaces in the lot and stamped concrete walking area around the perimeter, said Jim Valenta, of MCI during a presentation to the DDA on Thursday, July 17.
The overhead utilities will be placed underground as part of the project and the city must also secure three easements to do the project.
DDA Board Member Mark Heydlauff asked a number of questions of Valenta during the presentation, and, added that he wanted the parking lot to “have some character,” adding he didn’t want the entire parking lot area to be all asphalt.
Greg Raye, an owner of Farmers Supply, which is located in the project area said, “We will be significantly impacted by this. … How will my building be properly protected during this?” he asked, adding, “We’re built right up to the face of the building.”
Several board members also expressed concerns about water run off during the construction project, and Raye asked about the dust that will be generated as well.
Once the parking lot project is complete then the city will have the decorative fencing put up along the railroad tracks to block people from illegally crossing the tracks near The Depot.
It’s expected that the DDA Board will vote on a contractor to do the parking lot project at its August meeting.
