Sparta Taking Bids To Demolish Two Buildings

Sparta currently taking bids to demolish two buildings on West Bockman Way and East Bronson Street.

Mayor Jerry Lowery said the city acquired a building on Bockman Way across from South Carter Park with hopes of renovating it but costs were too high. Lowery said the city decided to go through with demolition because the building is doing nothing for the city as it is now.

“We looked at trying to make an outdoor pavilion type of thing, to knock the walls out and leave the ceiling,” Lowery said. “But some of the engineers and people looked at it and said that’s not really a good, viable option. So we’re going to take bids to knock that down, then we’ll have that open space to possibly even put the skateboard park there. That’s what we’re looking at. It’s already flat, concreted area right there.”

Lowery said the building on Bronson Street served the school system previously but it has worn down beyond repair over time. Lowery said the city could use a new empty lot to establish senior housing as the land is right beside the senior center.

“It’s got a lot of stuff happening with it,” Lowery said. “It’s going to cost too much to rebuild or to renovate so we’re just looking at maybe just demoing that.”

Lowery said the exact plans for the second building will be decided after demolition is handled. Lowery said the city is still waiting for a grant that could help move the skateboard park to the location on Bockman Way.

“The structural for the outdoor pavilion over here would be awesome,” Lowery said. “To have like an under pavilion basketball court if it’s raining or whatever, people could go out there and play. But the support of the building was not conducive to what we wanted to do so we feel best interest, we’ll just knock it down.”