Downtown Olean building’s dismantling in progress

After seven months, a small, one-story building located in the back section of the Manufacturers Hanover property parcel started to come down.

Crews from H.H. Rauh Contracting arrived Wednesday morning and began dismantling the building.

“We’re really happy to see it finally coming down,” said Mary George, a representative of the Urban Renewal Agency (URA), which owns the property. “For the URA and the developer, this building coming down really enhances the parcel — the building was an eyesore.”

Crews are expected to finish the job by the end of this week.

The one-story structure was built in the later half of the last century. In the 1970s, it underwent a major renovation. Throughout its time standing, the building was home to several businesses, including a restaurant, hair salon and local office of International Business Machines (IBM).

In August, members of the URA voted unanimously to have the building torn down, awarding H.H. Rauh a $6,800 contract for the demolition.

Originally, the building was scheduled to be razed early last fall. But several setbacks stalled the project.

In September, National Grid crews assigned to disconnect the building’s utility lines were dispatched to parts of the Northeast to help with cleanup efforts after Hurricane Sandy. National Grid crews did not arrive until months later.

In December, the project encountered another roadblock — before demolition could proceed, an underground utility line tunnel needed to be sealed off. That work was completed in early January by crews from Tink Holcomb Construction, a Cuba-based contractor awarded an $800 contract for the job.

At the agency’s last meeting in March, its members — dissatisfied with the lack of progress in the building’s demolition — sent a letter to H.H. Rauh formally demanding work be completed by April 15.

With the building coming down, Mrs. George said its former space will likely be used for parking behind the Manny Hanny, Marra and Siegel buildings.

“With more parking space, this should help attract tenants and improve any access issues,” she said.

Mrs. George said there are no immediate plans for redevelopment work of the three buildings still standing at the property parcel.