Demolition on Gardner building in Brockton has begun

A piece of city history is being torn down as the venerable brick building that was once home to the Stacy Adams shoe manufacturer is scheduled for demolition, starting today.

Trinity Financial will raze the 122-year-old building at 62 Centre St. and then proceed with a $100 million redevelopment of that block, bordered by Main Street, Petronelli Way and Montello and Centre streets.

Plans are to transform the old city block into a mix of apartments, retail and commercial space, along with a 325-space parking garage and new city park.

The project would add 215 apartments in downtown Brockton, less than two blocks from the commuter rail station.

As demolition takes place over the next several weeks, Montello Street will be closed to traffic from School to Court streets. School Street will be open to through traffic only.

In addition, Centre Street will be closed to traffic from Main to Commercial streets.

Kenan Bigby, project manager from Trinity Financial, said the contractor will use cranes to take the building apart by sections. The Gardner building was vacant for at least 20 years.

City historian Jim Benson said the entire block facing Montello Street has historical significance, serving as the citys second main street during the late 1800s and early part of the 20th century.

The Gardner had been a classic Victorian design commercial structure, Benson said, but its appearance changed after renovations over the years blocked the street level, which once had cast-iron columns, brick and granite features, as well as large glass windows.

In the past, the building was a button factory, a textile manufacturer and later it was used for storage.

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Demolition on Gardner building in Brockton has begun