The demolition of Lincoln Place started in earnest this week; project likely to end in April
The deconstructing of Lincoln Place got going big time this week as the old Wellington Masonic Building will be no more. (Click on photo for larger version).
by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — Perhaps, you have seen the pictures on social media or have driven by this week. The demolishing of the beleaguered Lincoln Place has begun after 18 months of soul searching.
Finally.
Starting in January, Bradburn Wrecking Company of Wichita began the demolishing of the building at 107 W. Lincoln in Wellington by tearing out the windows. Then earlier this week, Bradburn started removing parts of the roof and started working its way down — brick by brick.
The 120-day demolition contract will cost the city $329,775. However, the city has received $285,900 from the insurance claim from Steve Spevak of Wichita, previous owner of the facility. With the insurance money, the net cost to city taxpayers is $42,875.
Once the demolition is complete, the city will deem the property to downtown developer Tom McAlister of Wellington, who will then ultimately decide what to do with the property. Wellington City Manager Shane Shields said this was part of the negotiations with McAlister, who owns the building directly to the north. Upon the demolition’s completion, the property is expected to be a flat soil lot.
Lincoln Place, on the northwest corner of Lincoln and Washington, was declared a hazardous structure after a pool of water on the roof caused by a very wet spring and large July rainstorm, gave way and destroyed the interior part of the building below on July 14, 2016.
The structure, which had been bowing to the outside for sometime even before the water damage, was considered unsafe by Wellington City Inspector Richard Jack later that month. Lincoln Street to the south was then closed and has remained so since the roof collapse in fear the building might collapse on a car driving by.
The closing of the street, which has been going on 18 months now, has been a source of contention in the community. Wellington Regent Theater owner Jerry Fike has said the movie theater to the south has lost significant business since the Lincoln Street closing.
Jeremy Jones, Director of Public Works for Wellington, estimated the street will remain closed until the demolition project is complete sometime in April.
“The last thing we want to do is make it unsafe for surrounding businesses, or people working and walking nearby,” Jones said. “So we are taking great care that nothing tragic will happen.”
There are many wondering about the salvaged material from the building. Jones said the city has asked for the Masonic Lodge cornerstone in the front of the building and will give it to the service organization once available. As for other items, such as a vintage elevator located inside, that will be up to the discretion of Bradburn Wrecking.
The deconstructing of Lincoln Place is a sad moment for many in the community, which served as a multifaceted building for years since being built in 1909. It was a meeting place for the Wellington Masonic Lodge for decades, and served as a dance studio and the home of Susan’s Portraits for several years.
It received a significant renovation in the late 1990s when a California couple purchased it and moved there.
The building was last used by Red Beard Barbershop when the interior was destroyed because of the water explosion inside. That business closed permanently thereafter.
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