Demolition of the former Parkview Tower in New Albany, Indiana, begins Monday, more than a year after a fire left the building beyond repair. The New Albany Housing Authority says the project marks the end of an era for a property that once served generations of residents.

Demolition Details

Executive Director David Duggins stated, ‘Now it’s time to do something more modern… we’re thankful and grateful for what Parkview Tower was able to do, but it’s time to move forward.’ A contractor from Indianapolis will handle the nearly $1.5 million project, which is expected to take about 45 days.

Officials say they are also taking steps to protect nearby residents during the work. ‘We had five units that we have temporarily moved to other locations here on this campus, more out of an abundance of caution,’ Duggins said. ‘And then really, for the sound, also, we’ve moved some neighbors.’ The demolition will be carefully controlled, with a straight pull-down method to minimize fall-off.

While the building has sat empty since the fire, it hasn’t gone unused. Local firefighters from New Albany Fire, Floyd County, and Clarksville Fire used the site for training exercises before demolition was scheduled.

Future Plans

As for what comes next, housing officials say any future development on the site will look different. ‘From now on, we will not do anything larger than a four-story structure,’ Duggins said. ‘It’s easier, it’s safer, it’s more manageable for our elderly folks to get up and down.’ Demolition is set to begin Monday afternoon, and once the site is cleared, the Housing Authority will decide the property’s future use.

Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.