PLANT CITY - The former police headquarters was reduced to rubble last week as a demolition crew began knocking down walls and hauling away the debris.
The vacant building, which was erected as a Publix grocery in 1954, was also used throughout the years by Hillsborough Community College and the Plant City Fire Department. The police department moved from the building to the Michael S. Sparkman Police Center off Alexander Street in April 2005.
The more than 20,000-square-foot building at 611 S. Collins St. was to be leveled to become part of redevelopment planned for the area.
Workers at JVS Contracting of Tampa began removing materials and interior fixtures on June 9. The company was awarded the demolition and removal contract by the city after submitting the low bid of $22,900. The removal of the structural debris was expected to be completed this week, said John Simon, the project manager for JVS.
The demolition contract does not include the removal of the parking lot pavement or the building foundation.
The city purchased the property in 1970. The city determined the building, which once had mold and asbestos problems, wasn't worth saving. Assistant City Manager Greg Horwedel said the city will offer the nearly 2-acre site for sale and development.
The building is in the heart of midtown, an 85-acre area south of downtown where the city wants to encourage redevelopment including shops, cafes and town homes.
Horwedel isn't sure how much the city will ask for the land.
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