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Demolition professionals have indicated imploding the dilapidated 14-story Hotel Sterling tower could be the most cost-effective way to raze the structure, said Alex Rogers, executive director of CityVest.
"Buildings of this size in urban areas, (implosion) is what is typically done, but not always," Rogers said. "We're anxious to see what the bids say."
CityVest, a non-profit development corporation, is seeking professionals for environmental remediation and demolition at the West Market Street site. Interested firms must submit proposals by Jan. 11. Bids will reveal the project's cost.
Demolition and removing asbestos, lead-based paint and other environmental hazards should take two or three months to complete, weather permitting, Rogers said. CityVest believes some environmental and demolition work can be completed simultaneously.
"We want to get the work started," Rogers said. "There is plenty that can be done with or without snow on the ground. We're eager to move this project along."
Once the work is complete, it will allow CityVest to begin a full-scale revitalization of the hotel's main building - a seven-story structure at West Market and North River streets. Lower floors will house commercial businesses and top floors will be used for residential housing.
Beside the 14-story tower, a four-story building that connects the hotel buildings, and a two-story structure in the rear of the property that centralized its utilities, also will be razed.
The independent construction of each of the buildings clears some demolition obstacles, Rogers said. The goal will be to contain the work to the site as much as possible, he said.
"We don't want to inconvenience people who live and work downtown," Rogers said. "But at the same time we're going to make sure the activity occurs in a safe manner and nobody is placed in harm's way."
Renovation of the seven-story hotel and demolition work is expected to cost between $22 million and $24 million, Rogers said.
CityVest secured $9 million in government-related financing for the project. It has spent approximately $2 million on acquisition, design and restoration to date, Rogers said.
The non-profit organization will use the remaining $7 million and secure a loan to complete the project, Rogers said. Revenue generated from rent and other use of the building will cover the annual payments, he said.
Once the site is cleared, it will initially be used for parking for the revamped seven-story hotel, Rogers said. CityVest eventually wants to build another
residential/commercial building on the site
Tell us about it Thom. There were 3 pre bids on the same day in three different parts of the country..Who all made it up to Wilkes Barre? It would be nice if you would publish a list of attendees.
Last edited by Robert Kulinski; 01-04-2006 at 10:05 PM.
I have just left a message for Alex Rogers, director of CityVest, attempting to a copy of the list of bidders who attended the walk and also to see if we can get possibly get a copy of the bid results when availible. Apperently it still bids today. Anyone?
CityVest, the nonprofit developer at the helm of the Hotel Sterling renovation, announced Thursday it has selected Brandenburg Industrial Services Company for demolition at the site.
It could be weeks before buildings start coming down, and the demolition phase of the project should be complete by late summer, said Alex Rogers, executive director of CityVest.
Brandenburg, one of five firms that bid on the project, is based in Chicago but will oversee the Hotel Sterling project from its Bethlehem branch office, Rogers said.
The firm, which submitted a bid of just under $3 million, will begin environmental abatement work at the site immediately. Demolition work will follow but a detailed timeline is unavailable, Rogers said.
“This is a big firm with a lot of resources and a lot of experience,” he said.
There will be some overlap in abatement and demolitions phases of the project, and Rogers expects both to be completed by late this summer.
The demolition will include selective interior demolition of the seven-story corner building and the removal of the 14-story tower. A connector building and the original smokestack and power plant for the complex als will be removed.
In December, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission approved CityVest’s plans for the historic hotel, which included the removal of the tower.
The more than $20-million plan focuses on the renovation of the corner building, the core of the hotel complex constructed in 1897. CityVest hopes to turn the former hotel into a mix of residential and commercial space.
As the demolition progresses, architectural and design work on the project will continue. Once architects Cope Linder have completed the design, CityVest will be able to seek private financing for the project, Rogers said.
The budget for the renovation of the hotel is between $22 million and $24 million, of which $9 million in public financing has been secured.
A second phase of the project includes a possible eight- to 14-story tower and hotel space, but CityVest officials have said that that construction depends on the success of the first phase.
Hotel Sterling tower may be imploded
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