PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – Demolition of a city building began Monday, with a few last items being salvaged from Cunningham Middle School before crews from Soderberg Construction, of Caribou, moved in with heavy equipment to begin the task of taking down the over 80-year-old landmark.
A hole knocked in the wall that once served as the back of the stage at one end of the gymnasium provided the entry site for machinery used to remove the center section of the gym floor, bearing the school name and mascot – a wolf. Sections of the bleachers were also removed.
City Manager Tom Stevens indicated the bleachers had been spoken for but that plans were yet to be made for the section of flooring.
“The Fair Association requested the bleachers. As for the floor, we (city officials) thought it would be a shame to destroy the emblem – an emblem that represented so many generations of students. We hope to use it somehow – incorporate it into another structure perhaps – at some point. But right now, we’re placing it in storage,” said Stevens.
Assisting Soderberg’s crew with the removal of items from the gym were Gerry James, director of Presque Isle’s Public Works Department; members of the Presque Isle Fire Department; resident Paul Cyr and several city workers.
Carl Soderberg, owner of the construction company, was on hand as well to supervise the project. He indicated the project would take a few weeks to complete.
“We began removing materials from the inside last week. This week we will work on the actual demolition of the building, separating brick and concrete from wood, metal and other materials as we go,” said Soderberg.
Soderberg indicated certain materials would be recycled along the way.
“We’re separating the metal for recycling. The concrete and brick will stay on site. Plans are to crush the concrete and brick and use the crushed material as fill once the structure is down,” said Soderberg.
It will take about four weeks to complete the task of demolishing the building, removing materials and leveling the land for future development.
Stevens said the city is still in the process of marketing the property but that no one has expressed a great deal of interest to date.
“We’re (the city) still marketing the site – looking for interested developers. The decision to remove the building was a hard one. We (city officials) felt our best option was to remove the structure. We’re hoping once it’s cleared someone will show interest and contact us,” said Stevens.
City Councilors Ron McPherson and Don Gardner – former Cunningham students – expressed sadness at the loss of “an old friend.”
“She (the school) served many generations and a lot of fond memories were made there,” said McPherson. “It’s too bad no one wanted her and it had to come to this.”
Gardner said he got emotional driving by the building on Monday.
“It brought tears to my eyes, seeing part of her down already. Ron and I have been friends for years. We both attended school there. It’s like losing an old friend. Like so many others who attended classes there, we’ll miss her,” said Gardner.
