The City of Castlegar is moving into the demolition phase of the Eremenko Building, located at 310 Columbia Avenue and 1224 3rd Street, following the completion of hazardous materials abatement.
The contractor is scheduled to begin demolition this week. The city says the work marks an important milestone in preparing the site for future residential and mixed-use development that supports long-term downtown revitalization.
“We appreciate the community’s patience as this project moves forward, and we want to remind everyone that businesses in the area remain open and accessible during demolition,” mayor Maria McFaddin said in a news release.
“Our downtown is an important part of our community, and this work helps prepare the site for future opportunities that support long-term development.”
The Eremenko Building was originally constructed in 1947-48 as a department store, with the addition of a shoe store completed in 1968. The buildings have been vacant since 2006. The city bought the property in 2021 to prepare it for redevelopment.
The demolition and site restoration work will be completed in stages and is expected to take approximately four to six weeks, subject to weather and site conditions.
The city says the work will proceed as follows:
Stage 1: Demolition of the building structure.
Stage 2: Cleanup and removal of demolition debris.
Stage 3: Final excavation and removal of the building foundation.
Stage 4: Site cleanup and restoration, bringing the property to street level and covering it with gravel to prepare the site for future use.
Temporary traffic and pedestrian changes will be in place during demolition.
On the 1200 block of 3rd Street, one-way traffic will be in effect and the eastbound lane will be closed, but parking will not be affected.
The sidewalk on the west side of Columbia Avenue (across from Pharmasave) will be closed and pedestrian detours will be clearly marked. There will be full access to all businesses in and around the site, and the city says impacts are expected to be minor and temporary.
The demolition area will be fully fenced. The city and contractor are asking motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists to follow posted signage and detours and to use caution while travelling through the area. These measures are in place to support safety for everyone during construction.
Construction noise is expected Monday through Friday, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. All closures and detours are temporary.
The city says it will continue working with the contractor to keep nearby businesses and residents informed as the project progresses.
