WILTON – After three years of paper work, preparations and other behind the scenes efforts, contractors have officially begun the process of demolishing the Forster Manufacturing Co. building.
The mill was acquired by the town in the spring of 2015, after foreclosing on it for unpaid taxes. Several months later Town Manager Rhonda Irish submitted the first grant for an evaluation of the building. With the ball rolling, environmental consultants were hired for handling the large amount of asbestos that was discovered throughout the building.
“The biggest thing has been making sure we get all of the hazardous material removed before starting the demo work,” Irish said.
The bid for the asbestos removal was awarded to EnviroVantage, who has been making progress on the job for the last several months. The company was also awarded the job of demolition, an advantage in the eyes of the overseers of the project.
“It’s been a luxury to have the same contractor for both projects. The foreman has really gotten to know the site at this point,” Irish said.
Demolition kicked off Tuesday morning, beginning on the inside of the building. About two thirds of the building will eventually be completely gone, leaving the brick portion that crosses over Wilson Stream and the cement foundation. Because of this, contractors need to be sure the structure is stable before starting the work of tearing down.
“There is no wrecking ball. Some days people will be able to see what’s going on and other days they won’t,” Irish said.
The project will be worked on Mondays through Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is expected to take two months, however, the contract allows three for completion. The work is expected to bring a significant amount of bustle to Depot Street, with trucks hauling material off site. Measures will be taken to diminish the amount of dust and contractors are working to recycle as much material as possible.
As for the future of the 250,000 square-foot lot, Irish said it remains unknown.
“Nothing will happen right away. Some people have said they want a park, or a parking lot or maybe something for economic development. It’s such a big space I think people are having a hard time imagining what it could be,” Irish said.
gonna seem weird with it gone, been there for over 100 and some yrs
great , finally hope they find a good use of the area afterwards/
It will be strange to see it gone. I worked in that building for 25 years. I have many pictures of this building, some going back to 1904. Like a lot of other places, it will be just a memory.
Some of the best stream frontage that would make a beautiful park!!
A lot of memories there.
I could imagine a residential facility like the Gorham House which has a range of senior options from their own apartments through nursing care. But in addition, the facility is a day care for children and encourages the generations to know each other. That sort of place could also have greenspace, picnic tables fenced and unfenced… just dreaming of possibilities.
Gonna be sad when it gone. Been giong in there for years gettin wool scraps and asbestos to make fireproof sweaters for the grandchilds.
It seems if the Falcon has photos back to 1904 it surely has surpassed the 100 yr mark. I worked there too. And just wow about making sweaters from asbestos? There are many memories here. I hope it will be used to build a senior facility or a park, also.
What if an airplane or a helicopter watered down the building so the asbestos will be concentrated and not airborne? Then, from a helicopter or several or from an airplane, drop a heavy amount of cargo right on top of it. A huge metal ball dropped high from the air would maybe flatten it to the ground. And I think a small restaurant that includes an outdoor patio would be nice
Are there any updated pictures ?? So glad to see this eyesore torn down before that wall ended up in the stream.