JAMESTOWN – Rubble from an emergency demolition of a former downtown shoe store could sit at the site for months while the contractor applies for the needed permits, according to Jamestown’s Director of Development Vince DeJoy.
The one-story structure that previously housed the Arcade Shoe Store, 24 N. Main St., between the railroad tracks and the multi-story Arcade building contains asbestos materials.
Dejoy said because the site is hazardous and, was once was on fire, contractors need to apply for special permits and equip themselves with specific safety gear.
The permit process could be quite lengthy and last one to two months, DeJoy explained.
In 2017, a massive fire broke out in the building. Much of downtown was closed as several area fire departments battled the blaze.
Jamestown’s Building Inspector recently deemed the site an “imminent public safety threat.” Emergency demolition of the structure started Wednesday and concluded Friday.
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