GREENSBORO, N.C. — According to the city, the former News & Record building in downtown Greensboro is set to be demolished in less than a month.
This comes after recent findings present safety concerns throughout the building.
"Some of the things found were quite disturbing. The power was still on at the time, and Duke Energy has since cut the power to the building." President of Downtown Greensboro Inc. Zack Matheny said. "There were ovens on, and fires that were big inside the building.
The building is set to be condemned on March 1. The city is accepting bids until end of February. Matheny told WFMY News 2 one bid has been received for what it would take to tear the building down.
The company is currently waiting for a second quote and then they will be able to decide on who to hire for demolition.
The city said it will help owners Berkshire Hathaway apply for state funding to remediate the property.
"What this community will see is how wonderful this property is and what the potential it will bring to the entire Triad," Matheny said.
Downtown Greensboro said the demolition is expected to start in 30-60 days. After the building is knocked down, the new site is still to be determined.
"In a perfect world we will create a phenomenal mixed-use development," Matheny said.
A nearby business said they are excited about the change. Head Chef Julian Vicard at Baked Downtown said after two decades of working in the area, he has seen the building at it's peak and downfall.
"It's not the same type of clientele that is utilizing the building. It's been a little difficult for people who are right across from it." Vicard said.
He said late night he and other businesses are concerned for their safety.
"I work nights, so there's a lot of activities around this building at night. When you come in around 11:30 about two, three o'clock in the morning." he recalled.
The facility has been unattended for several years. Over this period, the facility has fallen into disrepair.
There have been at least two fires inside the building.
The first one activated the fire sprinkler system, which was never restored to service. The fire had burnt itself out and was never reported, but it was discovered when an engine company training in the area spotted an unsecured door and investigated.
Inspections conducted found the building to be:
- littered with trash
- drug paraphernalia
- damaged/destroyed furniture
- human waste
- damaged interior walls,
- numerous windows broken
- a large part of the suspended ceiling
- cabling pulled down creating entanglement hazards
Cushman & Wakefield cleared out this debris and removed numerous dumpsters full of rubbish. However, the project became stagnant and was never 100% completed. The building was put on "vacant and secured" status using the guidance found in the Abandoned Building Toolbox published by the International Association of Arson Investigators.
This was before the second known fire.
Duke Power has since then terminated power to the building after discovering tampering in and around the area of the facility's transformers. Power has never been restored and the fire protection systems have not been maintained.
The building has been found unsecured on multiple occasions and after a recent walk-through with a potential buyer, additional damage and waste were revealed throughout the property.
This property is located in the busy downtown area, continuously unsecured, and falling into its current state of disrepair, the city has proceeded with the condemnation process.
Greensboro police said they will actively patrol and monitor the area.
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