The county has been steadily proceeding with preparations for terminating the 110-year history of the Western Grocer Building.

Friday, April 05, 2002

The county has been steadily proceeding with preparations for terminating the 110-year history of the Western Grocer Building.

Potential bidders for the demolition project visited the building to estimate the cost Wednesday. The bids will be entered on April 17, and the county board will award a contract a week later.

The vacation of Pearl Street, which the county has requested from the city, will be discussed during the city council meeting on Monday.

Closing the street is necessary for the demolition, and the county will eventually acquire the street from the city to build a new judicial center across it.

The county originally asked the city to remove all underground utility lines. But the city found two sewer pipes, laid about 30 feet below the surface, that are impossible to move.

&uot;There is no alternative for moving them,&uot; City Manager Paul Sparks said.

Though the foundation of the new structure would be going below the sewer lines, the construction can be done without touching them, according to County Administrator Ron Gabrielsen.

The city will establish an easement so that it can access the pipes for repair and maintenance.

The street will be closed once the demolition starts.

The county is also negotiating with the owner of the land to the east of the Western Grocer building. The county counts on the space to provide additional parking space.