Removing a set of buildings a sidewalk?s width from one of Iola?s busiest streets caused quite the commotion Monday.
Crews from Mueller and Sons removed the buildings ? a pair of two-story structures and a third one-story ? owned by Mike and Melinda Luttrell, at the intersection of U.S. 54 and Kentucky Street.
The buildings have served several purposes since the early 1900s, most notably Maloney?s Grocery.
It has served as home to a boarding house, camper shop, tavern and antiques store with upstairs apartments. For the past several years, it was used as storage.
The demolition had been in the works for some time, noted Don Britt, Melinda Luttrell?s father. The biggest challenge, he said, was finding crews equipped to bring down a building that tall, and that close to the street in a safe manner.
Leave that to Nick Mueller, who guided an excavator along the building with a surgeon?s touch, strategically clearing the brick wall and interior skeleton so that components fell harmlessly to the earth.
Crews were nearby to ensure none of the debris bounded into the highway.
Eastbound traffic along U.S. 54 was limited to one lane, to allow crews to maneuver. Traffic was stopped in both directions periodically to allow Mueller opportunity to tear down the most cumbersome sections.
All that remained by day?s end was a pile of rubble.
Assistant Iola City Administrator Corey Schinstock noted at Monday evening?s City Council meeting that the building?s demolitions should alleviate a primary traffic concern–visibility–for northbound motorists on Kentucky Street.
The building?s proximity to the street meant northbound motorists on Kentucky Street had to wait for a green light, even to make a right-hand turn onto the highway, because the building?s proximity to the street blocked their view to the east.
Without the building in to block the view, Schinstock said the ?no right turn on red? sign will be removed in short order.
