Hotel demolition begins

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (WANE) - Work on demolishing the "Homewood Suites by Hilton" near I-69 and US 24 began around 3 o'clock Friday afternoon.

Initial work to tear down the building was performed, but the bulk of the demolition isn't expected to be complete until early next week.

"It is very painful," says hotel owner Ash Lahkany. "But, I think that it is the right thing to do."

"We're just happy to get it started and get the process underway so we can bring it to a conclusion and start the new project," adds hotel spokesperson Scott Kammerer.

By beginning work Friday, crews beat a deadline issued by the county to demolish the building.

County officials have said if the work didn't begin by March 27th, then the county would step in an perform the demolition using taxpayer money.

"We are pleased that the owner has stepped up and taken that responsibility and they've worked out a contract with the contractor," says Allen County Building Commissioner Dave Fuller.

Demolition was originally expected to begin Monday, but was delayed due to a contractor controversy.

The original contractor scheduled to do the job, Martin Enterprises, was pulled from the project after reportedly failing to meet part of the contract.

The owner says the company could not fulfill all agreements in the initial demolition contract; specifically, in regards to to the cumulative requirement for insurance.

The owner tells NewsChannel 15 the contractor's required to carry at least $10 million dollar insurance coverage for the project.

The hotel has now contracted with "Denney Excavating," a company out of Indianapolis.

The seven story skeleton of a hotel cost around $2.5 million to half build, and it'll cost about $300 thousand dollars to bring it down.

The hotel was ordered to be brought down because it was built on 14 inches of soft soil that can't support the steel structure.

Since it was on top soil, it was basically sinking before the mistake was caught and construction stopped back in May.

The owner says he's paying for the demolition and plans to rebuild the hotel as soon as possible.

A statement from the hotel explains they're ready to move on. It says, "We are already three weeks into the salvage operation. SAMS Hotel Group is excited to move forward with this process. This has been a long, arduous process and we are eager to see this development through to a successful opening of the hotel so we can begin operations."

Once demolition's started, it'll take four to six weeks to level the site, before any rebuilding can take place.

The owner's told NewsChannel 15 that he hopes to start rebuilding as early as mid-summer. He hopes to have the new hotel open by Summer 2010.

Hotel management says this time the soil will be packed correctly, and with oversight.

County officials say they'll be keeping a close eye on the project to make sure it will comply with all safety guidelines.

And here's something interesting: 95 percent of the building will be recycled, and then 80 percent of that, will actually be put back into the new project.