Council approves demolition contract for 2-10 S. Perry Street; City plans to convert lot to downtown parking

The Johnstown Common Council on March 27 approved a contract to demolish the building at 2-10 S. Perry Street and said the cleared lot will be used for additional downtown municipal parking.

City Engineer Christopher J. Vose identified the winning bidder as Dan’s Hauling & Demo of West Sand Lake and said the firm previously completed demolition work for the city at 31 Crescendoe Rd. He told the council the company was the lowest qualified bidder for what he described as a complex demolition project.

Vose said demolition work is expected to take two to three days, with possibly one day of a full road closure for the block between Main Street and Market Street; he said public notifications will be issued to alert drivers and residents. "There will likely be at least a one-lane shutdown on South Perry Street, and possibly a partial full-day closure," Vose said. He also noted a small utility coordination issue with National Grid and that specialized air monitoring and required notifications to the Department of Labor must be completed before work begins.

Councilmember Vincent McCallum pressed for notice to residents because the block is used to travel to Knox for student pickup; Vose confirmed notifications would be provided.

Mayor Amy Praught said the building lacks a roof and deteriorated over the winter, making emergency demolition necessary. "The lot will be leveled and used as additional downtown parking," Praught said, adding the City will retain ownership of the property to support downtown business growth. She also said a previously demolished Evans Garage lot will be paved in the spring or summer and likewise used for municipal parking.

Vose explained demolition will extend approximately one foot below grade and the city plans to salvage and clean brick where possible for reuse as fill to reduce tipping fees. Contractors will monitor the adjacent bakery wall during demolition and address any damage that arises; no formal post-demolition inspection is currently scheduled unless problems appear, Vose said.

Praught addressed misinformation circulating on social media about the project and said the delay in scheduling was due to concerns about the adjacent building and the need to secure specialized engineering services and issue an RFP for qualified contractors. She referenced the prior Evans Garage demolition, where underground barrels were discovered and removal costs exceeded $300,000 compared with the original $65,000 demolition budget, to explain the city’s caution.

The council’s approval was recorded as a motion by Council Member Bradley Hayner and seconded by Council Member Max Spritzer; the minutes record four ayes with one absence (Council Member Scott Jeffers). The city expects work to begin in about one month, pending the Department of Labor notifications and air-monitoring arrangements.