A TWO-WEEK DEMOLITION project organized through the Dickinson Land Bank is slated to begin next week at the former Oliva’s Market building on Vulcan Street in Iron Mountain. From left, Dickinson Land Bank Authority Board members Lois Ellis, Barbara Kramer, Lorna Carey and Joe Stevens visit the site. Not shown is board member Nancy Pellegrini. (Hannah Carey photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Demolition of the former Oliva’s Market building at 431 Vulcan St. will soon take place under direction of the Dickinson County Land Bank Authority.

“The former Oliva’s Market building has long sat empty creating vulnerabilities and depressing nearby property values,” said Dickinson County Treasurer and Land Bank Chair Lorna Carey. “We are eager to put the saga of this property in our rear-view mirror and look forward to seeing what can become of the footprint.

The property had failed to sell at two separate auctions after Dickinson County foreclosed on it. The city of Iron Mountain then objected to taking title to the property, opening the door for the land bank to pursue a demolition.

Dickinson County recently appropriated $80,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds to the land bank for ongoing projects, including the Oliva’s Market site. Pearson Asbestos and Abatement of Escanaba completed the removal of asbestos materials on Aug.18, Carey said.

Bill Neuens Enterprises of Iron Mountain has been awarded the demolition contract and will complete the work during the first two weeks of October. Dust suppression, if necessary, will be completed by using water to wet the debris as the demolition is being performed.

Neighboring property owners have been made aware of the project and now the public, who use Fifth and Vulcan streets in that area, should be prepared for those streets to be closed temporarily during the demolition, officials said.

“Neuens Enterprises is taking all the proper precautions in accordance with OSHA policies and procedures to ensure the demolition runs as smoothly and safely as possible,” Carey said. “We encourage neighbors to keep their windows and doors closed during active demolition and ask residents to stay off the demolition site at all times to ensure the safety of everyone.”

Any public comments, questions or concerns can be addressed by contacting Carey at 906-774-8130.

“We would like to thank the county board, the county treasurer’s office and the County Park and Maintenance Director Eric Robinson and his staff for their partnership to see this much needed project through to completion,” Carey said on behalf of the Dickinson County Land Bank Authority Board.