Masonic Temple demolition delayed due to gas line work

Erin Couch, Zanesville Times Recorder
·2 min read
A crane and other heavy equipment stands on Fourth Street in Zanesville on Wednesday, in preparation for the demolition of the Masonic Temple.
A crane and other heavy equipment stands on Fourth Street in Zanesville on Wednesday, in preparation for the demolition of the Masonic Temple.

ZANESVILLE — Demolition on the Masonic Temple didn't begin Thursday as initially expected.

Building department officials said this week that demolition on the Masonic Temple, which was destroyed by fire the night of Jan. 6, would likely begin Thursday. Work on gas lines around the historic downtown Zanesville building has stalled the process.

Previous: Masonic Temple demolition likely to start Thursday. Fire destroyed the historic building

Zanesville Mayor Don Mason said when Columbia Gas gives the go-ahead on safety, the demolition can proceed.

"It's based on safety and real-time decision making," Mason said. "Safety is always the highest priority."

Columbia Gas said in a statement it is working to ensure gas service is uninterrupted to its Zanesville customers.

"Although the winter storm delayed our work Sunday and Monday, we continue to move forward at this time," the statement reads.

The company could not provide a definite timeframe.

Columbia Gas is working on gas lines around the Masonic Temple. When they give the go-ahead on safety, the demolition can proceed, Zanesville Mayor Don Mason said.
Columbia Gas is working on gas lines around the Masonic Temple. When they give the go-ahead on safety, the demolition can proceed, Zanesville Mayor Don Mason said.

Maple Leaf Demolition has been contracted to take down the building, a $450,000 project. The Northeast Ohio company started moving equipment on site this week.

The whole process should take less than two weeks, Maple Leaf Secretary Tracie Mayles said. That includes taking down the building and grading off the site afterward.

Crews will demolish the structure from the top-down, with a high reach machine.

The landowner is responsible for the demolition, but public officials have been assisting in the process. It is owned by Wayne Newland, who has not returned multiple calls to the TR.

The 0.275-acre property is valued at $327,000, Muskingum County auditor records show. It has seven floors and a basement.

It was difficult to find a contractor willing to take on the liability of possible damage to the neighboring Muskingum County Jail, EMA Director Jeff Jadwin previously said.

Inmates had to be evacuated from the jail, and are being housed in other local and regional facilities. Offices in the courthouse were also temporarily relocated.

Sixty artists and small businesses rented spaces in the temple. Fundraising efforts are underway to help them recover from the loss.

Masonic Temple fundraising: How you can donate; how tenants can seek help

One person was rescued from the blaze that night. No firefighters or civilians were hurt.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

ecouch@gannett.com

740-450-6752

Twitter: @couchreporting

This article originally appeared on Zanesville Times Recorder: Zanesville Masonic Temple take down delayed due to gas line work