Council authorizes engineering services for McMinn parking-structure demolition after procedural debate

Council considered a professional‑services agreement with Kasing and Associates to perform engineering and design work for the demolition of the McMinn parking structure at 127th Street. The Public Works Committee had recommended denial; Alderman Mack, the committee chair, explained the item is the engineering step necessary to move forward with demolition and urged approval so work could be completed before July 4. Mack said, "There's a science to demolition," stressing the need for proper design and asbestos evaluation before contracting demolition specialists.