And The Walls Came Tumbling Down…

Demolition of the ’s office building is complete and all that remains are piles of rubble.  Removal of the one-story structure began last week.  Its removal allows for the straightening and leveling of New Hempstead Road in that vicinity.

“We’ve been looking forward to this building coming down for quite awhile,” said Joe Pyzowski, capital projects manager for the county highway department. 

He said the building debris, which is separated by type of material for recycling, will be taken away by the end of the week.  Demolition of the building is part of the reconstruction of New Hempstead Road between North Main Street and the ramps for the Palisades Interstate Parkway. 

Construction of a temporary road through the property cannot begin until Verizon removes service from two utility poles.  On Wednesday, Pyzowski estimated it will be several weeks until traffic moves through that area and the next major phase of the New Hempstead Road reconstruction project gets under way. 

“Then we can start excavating,” said Pyzowski.

Digging has already started to remove part of steep “S” curve” portion of the road. With the temporary road in use, Crews will be able continue digging 10 feet deep to make the road more level and to straighten it.

Part of the area where the former county clerk’s building stood will be turned into a parking lot for county highway department employees.  There is currently parking there now which will be expanded. That will open up more parking spaces in the public lot behind the Allison-Parris County Office Building.  

The two-mile long New Hempstead Road reconstruction began last year and is expected to be a 28-month project.