The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Downtown building begins demolition
Buildings in downtown Elyria slated for demolition are being razed as part of a safety concern for the residents.
The demolitions began in June with a former attorney building at 371 Broad St. and now will continue with the rest of the buildings from there to the corner of Washington Avenue.
As part of safety precautions during the demolition process, Brian Baumann, president of B&B Wrecking, said the company is using a special excavator to get the job done.
“Safety is the number one thing; we’re using the excavator to bring it down safely,” Baumann said. “The building is four stories and 65 feet tall.
“The extender we’re using has 95 feet of reach.”
The demolition of unsafe buildings takes a lot of training and skill, Baumann said.
B&B employee Jason Fondale is the operator of the high reach excavator and second generation employee.
Baumann said Fonadale’s specialization with the machine ensures the safe removal of the materials.
“Oftentimes, you see people use wrecking balls, and although it can bring buildings down, it’s not the safest way to operate,” Baumann said. “And it’s never the correct means of bringing down an old building that already is a safety hazard
“People just aren’t interested in the spaces because they’re antiquated and the conditions of the buildings are unsafe. They aren’t worth repairing.” — Brian Baumann, president of B&B Wrecking
to the public.”
In light of the demolition, Elyria citizens were sent an alert Jan. 19 containing the following message stating, “Washington Ave. is closed at Broad St. for demolition. Broad St. will remain open and there is a detour posted. Additionally Depot Street at Washington is also closed.”
Baumann said the project should be finished either by Jan. 22 or Jan. 25.
“It’s going to be tight, but we hope to get it done by Friday,” he said.
During the process, Baumann said the company intends to recycle any materials it can.
In most of its demolitions, the company recycles 80% of the materials, including steel, brick and wood timber.
“It’s the right thing to do, but it’s also cost effective,” Baumann said.
Additionally, Baumann said he knows the city hopes the demolition of the older, unsafe buildings will result in property purchase or development.
“People just aren’t interested in the spaces because they’re antiquated and the conditions of the buildings are unsafe,” he said. “They aren’t worth repairing.
“I know the city wasn’t able to find tenants, so they decided it would just be better if the buildings came down and work from there.”