Massillon to close downtown streets for about 30 days for demolition of buildings

MASSILLON – The city is gearing up to start the demolition process for two downtown buildings it acquired earlier this year.

The preliminary work, which includes final utility disconnections at the vacant buildings, 10 Lincoln Way E and 28 Erie St. N, is to begin as soon as Monday, said city Development Director Ted Herncane.

Lincoln Way E and Erie Street N lane closures around the work area are also planned to start Monday and run for about 30 days.

According to a city of Massillon Facebook post, both lanes of Lincoln Way E — between Erie Street N and First Street NE — will be closed for demolition preparations. However, the sidewalk on the south side of Lincoln Way is to remain open.

In addition, both lanes of Erie Street N will be closed from Lincoln Way to Federal Street NE. Sidewalks in that area will be closed, too.

The two buildings should start to fall — utilizing heavy equipment — on or about Dec. 16, Herncane said.

A recent inspection by the city’s chief building official Frank Silla deemed the buildings structurally unsound, prompting a plan for their upcoming removal.

Both downtown structures were acquired by Massillon earlier this year after city officials and Towne Plaza Ltd., operated by Grant “Fuzzy” Kowell, owner of more than two-dozen properties in the city, came to an agreement regarding a federal lawsuit that transferred ownership.

The estimated cost to demolish both structures is approximately $458,000. The city will use American Rescue Plan Act money for the project.

Louisville-based Eslich Wrecking Co. has been contracted by the city to do the work.

Reach Steven Grazier at [email protected]. On X (formerly Twitter): @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Massillon to close downtown streets for demolition of buildings