EAST HARTFORD — Demolition on the long-deserted Silver Lane Showcase Cinemas began on Monday, taking a major visual step toward revitalizing a notoriously derelict area.
The interior abatement of the building was completed Oct. 30, after having started Oct. 2. Town officials say the overall demolition should take between 45 to 60 days.
Town Council Chairman Richard Kehoe said that materials such as lead and asbestos were removed from the site weeks ago.
That’s standard procedure, he said, adding there was nothing surprising, as the building was inspected by an expert prior to the town purchasing it.
Town officials said that once the abatement of the exterior walls is complete, the entire site would be cleared of any further hazardous material.
The former entrance side of the cinema facing Interstate 84 was being torn down on Monday, and the entire area was fenced off while police patrolled the site.
The demolition project is being performed in strict accordance with the state Department of Public Health guidelines, town officials said. Project oversight is being performed by Milone and MacBroom Engineering Consulting, based out of Cheshire.
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© Journal Inquirer, 2019