Demolition progressing at historic Western Building

Tammy Helm/Tribune photo Debris from the Western Building demolition project is about to be shoveled down a chute in a second story window Tuesday. After the interior is gutted, the building will be renovated into 40 living units for seniors.

Demolition of the Western Building located on First Street between Main Street and National Avenue, is progressing well, Fort Scott Fire Chief Paul Ballou said Tuesday.

He is monitoring the demolition for the city, which is footing the bill for environmental clean up and demolition. The remainder of the estimated $9 million project will be paid by Flint Hills Holdings Group, LLC, a property development company which purchased the long-vacated, dilapidated building in June for one dollar at a county tax sale.

Tony Krsnich and Alex Hodges, representing Flint Hills Holdings Group, LLC, plan to transform the structure into 40 senior living units.

Ballou said Industrial Wrecking Co., Inc., of Kansas City, Mo, the demolition contractor for the project, began working on the more modern looking building portion, known as the tower. The old portion of the building and the tower are joined together by a crossway over the alley. Workers shoveled debris through holes in each floor, then into a dumpster that was placed in the alley.

"Most of the demo work is being done in the old building," Ballou said, adding the top three floors are almost completely demoed.

The crew now has a dumpster placed on the north side of the building, on First Street and debris is being shoveled out a window.

"There's just no other way to get it out of there," Ballou said.

Industrial Wrecking Company does not remove asbestos, Ballou said. That work has to be done by a company certified for asbestos abatement.

"As of right now the asbestos abatement is probably down at least that far," Ballou said. "I know they were working the third floor down the other day."

He said the project appears to be moving on schedule.

"I would say they're getting along pretty quick on it," Ballou said. "Of course the basement and the bottom floor, I think there's a lot more area there, so they might be longer on that. I'm not sure what they're going to do down in the basement."

Ballou said when the demolition work is completed, he will tour the building to verify the work is done.