WARREN, Ark. – According to the Bradley County Judge’s office, if all goes as planned, the demolition of the buildings to the Southside of the Courthouse Square is scheduled to start Wednesday, May 3, 2023.
The former Ederington, Sandwich Shop(old Wayne’s), Hankins, as well as two other buildings, including the former Rural Water office will be torn down starting this week.
Crews have been busy over the weekend and Monday preparing the dilapidated structures for removal. Equipment began arriving last week after the County took full ownership upon the approval of the purchase of the buildings by the Bradley County Quorum Court. Three of the buildings were condemned several weeks ago by the City of Warren due to multiple engineers warning that the buildings were no longer safe for use. Following the condemnation by the City, the County made a deal with each owner to purchase the properties. And this week they will begin the demolition process.
Top photo: Sand has been moved in to help protect the brick streets and sidewalk as demolition begins this week on several downtown Warren buildings.
Pedestrians and motorists are urged to proceeds with caution when near the structures through Wednesday and the demolition process. Orange caution barrels have been setup around the group of buildings, and people are asked to not walk within the space near the buildings as County crews continue to work on the preparation of the site.
All glass is currently being removed from the buildings to make the cleanup effort easier after the buildings are down. We understand that the glass is being recycled.
All utilities have been cut off from the building expect for electrical power. Entergy is expected to arrive to finish that portion of the job Tuesday.
Sand has also been moved in that will be used to protect the brick streets and sidewalks from debris and equipment.
If all of that goes as planned, demolition should start Wednesday.
Several portions of streets are already closed.
- Cedar from Main to the Warren Bank drive-thru(drive-thru remaining open)
- Cypress from Main to the Warren Bank drive-thru(drive-thru remaining open)
According to the County Judge’s office, street closures will be widened once the demolition begins Wednesday. Look for the following street closures Wednesday:
- Cedar from Main to the Warren Bank drive-thru(drive-thru remaining open)
- Cypress from Main to the Warren Bank drive-thru(drive-thru remaining open)
- Main Street from Gannaway Drug drive-thru(drive-thru remaining open) to Church Street-This closure is likely to be a short closure until the western portion of the block is complete.
We understand that the demolition will begin on the western side of the block with the former Ederington’s building. When they come to the eastern most building, the Warren Bank drive-thru branch lot may be closed for a short time as they bring down the former Rural Water building. Saline River Chronicle was told the entire process could take up to two weeks.
Residents needing access to Main Street buildings will still be able to walk to buildings even when the above portion of Main is closed to traffic.
Aren’t those buildings full of asbestos, I thought you had to have special contractors come in and remove all the asbestos before tearing them down?