VIDEO: Dupont demolished - Hibbing Daily Tribune: News: dupont, demolition,:
Posted: Sunday, February 12, 2012 6:00 am | Updated: 8:56 pm, Sat Feb 11, 2012.
HIBBING - The Dupont Building, a former power house that stood on the shore of Carey Lake for more than a century, is now history.
The hollowed, artful structure was demolished last week by local contractor Bougalis and Sons Construction.
The razing came as a surprise - and dismay - to many, including city staff, as demolition work was slated to begin Feb. 20 according to contract between the city and the contractor, said City Engineer Jesse Story.
While it was publicly known the Dupont was slated for demo, most had yet to visit the site, reminisce and say their goodbyes first. A few, however, did make it out there, and at least one person carved a name in the deteriorating concrete before it was reduced to rubble.
Members of the city's Heritage Preservation Committee had asked the city to hold off razing the building in December, as a means to buy time and seek a way to save the building.
Tight on funds and with questions of how structurally sound it was, the committee conceded that it needed to come down, but requested that it somehow be recognized as a historical site.
There was some discussion by councilors of trying to save the Dupont logo in January for an additional cost, but they decided against it because of funding and questions on whether the piece could be salvaged due to a crack through it.
Councilors also continually expressed concerns over safety and liability surrounding the structure.
The demolition was an anticipated cost of $13,300, including crushing on site, and was made possible in part by a grant. The city had received $8,866 toward the project from a Community Development grant from Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB).
The monies were part of an larger grant - totaling $136,000 to the city of Hibbing - for the demolition of five projects. The Dupont Building was the council's No. 1 priority, and was the last to be razed.
There are plans to build some sort of historical mark or sign to commemorate the Dupont Building on the site.
Elected officials and economic development persons have also stated that the city plans to make Carey Lake more of a recreational area, including a possible campground, in the future.
Kelly Grinsteinner can be reached at kgrinsteinner@
hibbingdailytribune.net. To read this story and comment on it online go to www.hibbingmn.com.
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