The demolition of the Stryker Building has begun, but contract negotiations for its replacement remain incomplete.
Crews prepared with a backhoe and other equipment began the demolition process Wednesday on the more than 50-year-old building that sits in front of the Williamsburg Regional Library on North Boundary Street in the City of Williamsburg.
The demolition could be completed as soon as next week, Mayor Clyde Haulman said.
The work is not expected to disrupt traffic on North Boundary Street and Lafayette Street, but the library would lose between 30 to 35 parking spots during demolition and construction of the new Stryker Center, said Robert Haas, a spokesman for WRL.
City officials had originally planned to coordinate the demolition of the Stryker Building with the construction of the Stryker Center, which was originally projected to begin April or May. Delays in finalizing a comprehensive agreement with the builder pushed back the work start date.
Haulman said an interim agreement allowed City Manager Jack Tuttle to use up to $100,000 toward demolishing the building and basic site work on the Stryker Center as the city continues its negotiation with the builder on a guaranteed price of construction, which is a detailed description of the city’s expectations for the building and the price it is willing to pay for it.
The Stryker Center, which will be built on the same piece of land as the demolished Stryker Building, will include library offices, City Council chambers and exhibition space.
Once the comprehensive agreement is signed and agreed to by the Williamsburg City Council, Haulman said construction on the new building can begin “full bore.”
Haulman said he expected the agreement to be ready for consideration by the City Council in time for its Nov. 13 meeting. Once construction is underway, Haulman said the city projected the project to take about 10 months.
Related Coverage:
- Stryker Demolition Scheduled for Mid-October
- City: No Firm Date Set for Stryker Demolition
- Stryker Demolition Slated for August
- Architectural Review Board Approves Stryker Center Design
- Rough Timeline of Stryker Construction Emerges; New Council Meeting Place to Come
- City Signs Interim Stryker Agreement with Stemann-Pease
- City Picks Stemann-Pease for Stryker Design
- Citizens Given a Chance to Speak on Stryker Plans
- Public: Stemann-Pease is Favorite Stryker Plan
- City Chooses Carter Bank to Fund Stryker Center Project
- City Seeking $5 Million Bond for New Stryker Center
- City Council Members Sound Off on Stryker Project
- City Council: Stryker Center Second Floor Not Being Pursued
