Step by step
Downtown Hartley buildings inch closer to complete removal
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NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS
Rubble from the back garage at the former Create-A-Craft building is piled on Tuesday afternoon.
Progress took the form of demolition this week in downtown Hartley.
A crew from Schmillen Construction tore down the garage in the back of 170 S Central Ave., on Tuesday. Across the street at the old Capitol Theatre, a crew from Site Services, of Algona, began removing all asbestos-affected material from the building's interior.
Eventually, the building at 170 S Central Ave., which formerly housed Create-A-Craft, will be demolished. Hartley officials hope the theatre can be removed next year.
Hartley City Administrator Roxann Swanson said demolition of the former Create-A-Craft building would be a three-step process. The first occurred with the removal of the back garage, the second will be asbestos abatement, and the third will be removal of the actual building.
"There's no timeline on removal, but now with the back structure out, they can proceed with asbestos abatement," Swanson said. "That had to go first before anything else."
Removal of asbestos at the old Capitol Theatre was partially paid for by a Derelict Building Grant from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. It will cover $25,000 of the estimated $37,826 abatement cost.
NICK PEDLEY/SENTINEL-NEWS
Workers from Site Services remove asbestos-affected material from the old Capitol Theatre on Monday morning.
No DNR funds will be used at the former Create-A-Craft building. Asbestos abatement there is expected to cost $28,855, nearly double the price of the original $15,860 bid accepted by the council in May. The deteriorated condition of the building forced the price to increase.
Demolition of the building will take place sometime this year and is expected to cost $51,425, with work being completed by Schmillen. The city is hoping to apply for another Derelict Building Grant to cover a portion of demolition expenses at the old theatre. Its removal has been estimated at $100,000-$130,000.
The city owns both buildings, which were acquired from their previous owners after they were deemed dangerous and repairs to address issues were not completed. Mary Rons previously owned the Create-A-Craft building, while Dwight and Darla Jacobs previously owned the old theatre.
