Masonic Temple demolition likely to start Thursday. Fire destroyed the historic building
ZANESVILLE — Demolition on the Masonic Temple will likely begin Thursday, two weeks after a fire destroyed the historic building.
A permit for demolition of the early 20th-century structure at 38 N. Fourth St. has been issued, Mid-East Ohio Building Department confirmed.
Chief Building Official Jason Baughman said the plan is demolish the building as soon as possible.
Demolition: Awaiting Masonic Temple demolition, officials monitor weather, building
"(Wednesday) is hopeful, (Thursday) is likely," he said.
Maple Leaf Demolition has been contracted for the estimated $450,000 job. The Northeast Ohio company started moving equipment on site Tuesday.
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. Offices in the courthouse are also temporarily relocated.
Sixty artists and small businesses rented spaces at the Masonic Temple. Fundraising efforts are underway to help them recover from the loss.
Masonic Temple fundraising: How you can donate; how tenants can seek help
Firefighters have been monitoring the site 24/7 since the fire on Jan. 6. Blazes continue to rekindle in the rubble, but personnel have been knocking down any flare-ups.
One person was rescued from the building the night of the fire. Nobody was 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 will be demolished this week after fire
