Town to pay for building demolition
By NATHAN WHALEN
Whidbey News Times Staff reporter
August 12, 2009 · 1:20 PM
A dilapidated building near historic Front Street will soon be demolished.
The Coupeville Town Council unanimously approved a contract during a recent meeting with Sullivan Constructioin to demolish the Johnson Building. The demolition will cost the town nearly $48,000.
The Johnson Building, which was former county offices and originally a gas station, has sat empty for years on its location next to Cook Park. While the council approved the demolition contract during its late July meeting, the building won’t come down until after Labor Day.
“We wanted to get through the bulk of the tourist season,” Mayor Nancy Conard said.
The demolition delay also gives time for officials from the Port of Coupeville to remove the building’s cedar siding, which will be used to make repairs at the Coupeville Wharf.
Before the building is torn apart, workers will also have to remove the asbestos located in the building floor.
Conard said she is not expecting any road closures during the demolition.
There is a fuel tank buried underneath the Johnson Building; however, Conard said its removal isn’t part of the contract with Sullivan Construction and it will be removed later.
It’s not clear yet about how the empty lot will be used. Talk has ranged from using it as a parking lot or to expand the nearby park.
Contact Whidbey News Times Staff reporter Nathan Whalen at nwhalen@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5058.Comment on this story.
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