The equipment will start rolling in today and demolition could begin late today or early tomorrow on the downtown buildings, less than two weeks after a partial collapse occurred. Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman says the crew will be getting in town today.
The decision for demolition came after two separate structural engineers gave their opinions there was no way to salvage the buildings. In the report from ESI Consultants, who gave the second opinion, it states “It is ESI’s recommendation that the structures at 501/503/507 West Gallatin Street be demolished as safely and expeditiously as possible. Rehabilitation of the exterior walls of these structures, particularly on the south side along Gallatin Street and east side along 5th Street, does not appear to be a viable alternative.”