Owner to raze Argyle building

By JOY BROWN

STAFF WRITER

The Argyle apartment building, structurally weakened by a fire, high winds and freezing temperatures, will be razed.

Service-Safety Director Paul Schmelzer on Tuesday said owner Sharon Frullo decided to demolish the downtown building based on an assessment made by Alvada Construction Co.'s structural engineer.

It was determined that Alvada Construction's work to shore up the structure and remove the wobbly fourth-floor walls, to prevent a collapse of the building following Thursday's fire, wasn't a sufficient long-term safety solution.

"With the weather situation, the potential for more high wind, and the slow, continuing movement of the walls, the safety of the building continues to be compromised," Schmelzer said.

The National Weather Service is predicting rain and thunderstorms today.

City officials were hoping demolition crews would arrive Tuesday night. As of 11 p.m., they weren't in sight.

The scope of the demolition is more than Alvada Construction's equipment can handle, Schmelzer said, which is why another firm was being sought.

Alvada crews were hired for building stabilization and fourth-floor demolition. The company's proximity was a plus because it arrived on site quickly, Schmelzer said.

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Owner to raze Argyle building