By Jim Gustafson
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Photos by Jim Gustafson – Northeast corner of building -
The excavator removes chunks of concrete and metal working from the top floor down. -
The high-reach excavator -
facing southwest -
facing northwest -
Portions of E. King, S. Valley, and E. 2nd st. temporarily closed for safety reasons. Will reopen within days.
UPDATE 1:15PM: Video added of Kinkead Building demolition.
The final phase of demolition began Monday at the Kinkead Building at 505 East King Street in Carson City. Since Oct. 16, crews have been gutting the inside of the structure from the bottom up.
Streets around the building will be closed to thru traffic and curb-side parking around the project will be restricted or limited.
Driveway access to Fleet Services and the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation will not be affected. Streets will be reopened within a few days as the excavator works it’s way down to the second or third floor, according to Project Manager, Ken Scarborough with the State Public Works Division.
All that remains is the “hair net” frame structure. On Monday, a high-reach excavator equipped with jaws capable of over 150,000 psi of grip and metal cutting capability began breaking pieces off the northeast corner of the top floor.
The 250,000 pound excavator is strategically biting chunks of the remaining concrete and bars working from the top floor, down.
According to city officials the project is currently 50 days ahead of schedule. “Probably by Friday the building will be down,” said Scarborough.
Plans have been made for a grassy park and picnic area to replace the footprint of the Kinkead Building once demolition is complete.
Check back later for video of some of Monday’s demolition.
