Demolition of longtime downtown furniture store moving ahead

Demolition is progressing on the Hammond Brown Jennings building in downtown Spartanburg.

The former Hammond Brown Jennings furniture store building on North Church Street is coming down methodically as crews remain careful not to damage other nearby structures.

Unlike many demolition projects, the building is situated close to other downtown structures, so it's important to take cautious measures to bring the building down, said city Communications Manager Will Rothschild.

The utilities have been disconnected. Asbestos has been removed, and the city received a S.C. Department of Transportation permit to close the abutting sidewalk for several weeks until demolition is complete. A StayMobile site located close to the building has been demolished and work is being done on the building's interior, Rothschild said.

Scaffolding on the building will go up soon, and portions of the roof will be removed first.

In late July, the city's Construction Board of Adjustments and Appeals ordered Arthur State Bank, the building's owner, to demolish the building or bring the property into compliance with code standards.

At that time, building official Buddy Bush told the board the roof's northeast corner was caving in, allowing water to get inside. Bush showed photographs of material falling from the building's exterior and a large crack on the side of the building.

The bank had appealed the city's action, but the board ruled in Bush's favor.

Rothschild said the demolition is "unique" because the building is not coming down immediately, and said the work could take several weeks.

"It's coming down piece-by-piece to protect the building next to it, so it's not a typical demolition project," Rothschild said.

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Demolition of longtime downtown furniture store moving ahead