PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
FAREWELL TO A LANDMARK …The Sooz Building demolition has begun on East Baubice Street in Pioneer.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
The demolition of the Sooz Building, located at 101 East Baubice Street in Pioneer, officially began on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at around 10:00 a.m.
Heavy equipment was brought in to start tearing down the deteriorating structure, a downtown landmark that once housed the locally owned restaurant Sooz.
Traffic adjustments were put into place to accommodate the project. State Route 15, which runs through downtown Pioneer, will be rerouted for the next 7-10 days. According to the Pioneer Police Department, North State Street at Baubice Street will remain closed for approximately 14 days while the building is removed.
Baubice Street is also closed to the east of the demolition site. Local detour routes have been established for cars and light vehicles, guiding drivers around State Street via First Street, Elm Street, and North Street.
Police advised that the semi-truck traffic should avoid these smaller roads, except when making local deliveries. For larger truck traffic, ODOT has coordinated detours using SR-15, US-20, SR-576, and Territorial Road.