VIDEO: Crews tearing down a former downtown Middletown department store after wind damage

Plans to demolish the building were made in December 2017 but the city did not move forward on the project due to a lack of funds, according to city spokeswoman Shelby Quinlivan. After last month’s wind damage, the city contacted the demolition company that won the bid about proceeding with the project. Vickers Wrecking agreed to honor its earlier bid price of $292,000 and was able to start immediately.

The city tried to sell the building twice but did not receive any bids or proposals, Quinlivan said. The city acquired the vacant building at no cost in July 2012 after it was forfeited to the state for nonpayment of back taxes. Officials have been discussing demolishing it since early 2013.