Housing Authority begins demolition of Taney Apartments
This week, the Housing Authority of the City of Frederick authorized Environmental Products and Services of Vermont, Inc. to proceed with the demolition of Taney Apartments, housing which has helped many low-income Frederick families since its construction in 1943.
The demolition is the continuation of a three- to five-year development process utilizing Department of Housing and Urban Development HOPE VI grant funds to improve housing opportunities for low-income families.
In similar fashion to the John Hanson demolition, the contractor will first remove playground equipment, shrubs and fencing around the 3-acre property, and appliances will be salvaged from the units. The first building to come down will be the original office of the Housing Authority at West 6 th Street and Klineharts Alley, also formerly a Head Start daycare center.
The contractor will operate on-site Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and possibly some Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. At times, the contractor will be utilizing a hydraulic breaker (a long, pointed steel hammer) to crush each building’s concrete foundation. As needed, water applied through a large hose will be used to minimize dust from the demolition. In addition, the Housing Authority is using its best efforts to preserve many trees around the apartment buildings.
During the demolition, anyone may view the progress over the Internet by connecting to the HOPE VI page of the Housing Authority’s website, www.northmarketrevitalization.com.
Environmental Products and Services of Vermont, Inc. is a Syracuse, New York-based general services contractor who has over 25 years of experience in demolition, waste management and remediation. The company’s Harrisburg, Pennsylvania division will manage the Taney Apartment demolition.
The Housing Authority and contractor estimate that the demolition should be complete by mid-to-late February, resulting in a seeded lot awaiting the new townhomes. HOPE VI staff working on the project from offices in Taney have moved nearby to a City office building at 4 West 7 th Street.
During the past two years, the Housing Authority has assisted the 130 families who lived in the John Hanson and Taney units to relocate to other Frederick neighborhoods.