PHOTO BY JOHN FRYMAN / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
DEMO WORK … Advanced Excavating & Demolition, LLC of Leipsic began demolition work at the former Central School building in downtown Bryan on Tuesday, March 3 as they began by tearing down the classroom portion of the building. Cost of the demolition work is $350,000 and is expected to be done between six and eight weeks. Once the demolition of the building is finished, the $6.2 million Arts and Education Facility Renovation Project will begin with a expected completion date of 18 months.
By: John Fryman
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
john@thevillagereporter.com
Demolition work is now underway on the former Central School building as part of the Bryan Arts and Education Facility Renovation Project in downtown Bryan.
School officials and board members along with several citizens gathered to watch the demolition work in classrooms and the gym which started on Tuesday, March 3.
Advanced Excavating & Demolition, LLC of Leipsic is performing the demolition work on the south half of the building, which was built in 1938.
Superintendent Mark Rairigh commented that the demolition work is expected to be completed in six to eight weeks.
He added that the cost of the demolition is $350,000. The State of Ohio, through a Brownfield Grant, will pay 75 percent of the total cost, with the remaining 25 percent being paid by Bryan City Schools.
Once the demolition is finished, the $6.2 million renovation project will begin with a completion date of 18 months.
The project will renovate the auditorium and add new construction to the north and south of the existing structure.
The Arts and Education Auditorium building, which was built in 1917, will be undergoing a major renovation process.
Renovation improvements include lobby and fellowship space, restroom facilities, lighting upgrades, sound system upgrades, rehearsal space, dressing rooms, backstage restrooms, set building space and increased storage.
The project will maintain a continued downtown presence aligned with the city’s revitalization efforts.