Demolition of Everett’s McCrossen Building on standby

Published: Wednesday, January 23, 2013, 12:01 a.m.

A shared wall with a neighboring building is one of the problems to solve before dismantling what remains of the gutted 1894 McCrossen Building.

A city hearing examiner last month said demolition needs to take place by March 15. The building's owner, Pete Sikov, acknowledged the looming deadline, but this week offered no specific timetable for getting to work.

"I know that the city has issued an order to do a demolition, so we're certainly willing to do as they request," Sikov said.

The three-alarm blaze Nov. 8 left one person dead, two people injured and displaced about 40. It destroyed the historic structure, built originally as a grocery, leaving a heap of rubble in the heart of downtown. In all, the building at the corner of Hewitt and Oakes avenues housed 13 apartments and at least three businesses.

Investigators believe the fire started in the room of 61-year-old Michael D. Beard. His death from smoke inhalation was ruled an accident and nothing led investigators to believe anything suspicious caused the fire.

The extent of the damage to the building meant there was too little information available to pinpoint a cause.

Because remnants of the building are in danger of collapsing, the city hearing examiner ordered a sidewalk cover built last month.

Former McCrossen tenants have been frustrated about not being allowed access to the site to retrieve belongings.

Damage extends to a neighboring building at 1812 Hewitt Ave., which shares a common wall. Russ Hermes, the building's co-owner, said there needs to be a plan to ensure that his building will remain structurally sound before any demolition can move ahead at the McCrossen Building next door.

Excerpt from:
Demolition of Everett’s McCrossen Building on standby