Orlando seeks options as 'Round Building' demolition company leaves the job

Remnants of the "Round Building" will continue to linger near the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, after officials said Tuesday that the company hired to tear it down has defaulted on its contract.

The city had initially hoped to demolish the Round Building before the arts center's grand opening, but that came and went as the project suffered repeated delays.

In a letter Tuesday, Orlando's chief procurement officer informed Crusader Demolition of the city's intent to terminate its contract.

"Crusader has informed the City that they are not able to complete the work and have demobilized from the site," Heather Fagan, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Buddy Dyer, explained. Fagan said Crusader will be given seven days to return to work and "provide a schedule and plan on how to complete the job."

The company was required to provide a performance bond as part of its contract, which would fund a replacement contractor if Crusader doesn't comply, she said.

Emails released by the city showed Crusader had requested more money to cover the delays. But city officials called the delays "self-imposed." The strangest setback came in October, when video surfaced of a Crusader employee firing an assault rifle inside the building.

Jeff Weiner

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Orlando seeks options as 'Round Building' demolition company leaves the job