CROOKSTON -- For 23 years, Bill Montague owned a floral shop a half-block from the Wayne Hotel. As a former neighbor, he was watching this morning as the demolition of the hotel began.
"It was a sad day for Crookston," Montague said. "It's been a grand old building.
"Unfortunately, it fell into disrepair and lost its purpose. It was time for it to come down."
Montague is also one of five Polk County commissioners who unanimously voted for demolition after several years of debate over attempts to preserve it. Attempts to raise the needed capital to turn the three-story, brick building into apartments and retail space came up short.
The entire building should be down by tonight. Then, next week, the excavators will be hauling the brick and other debris to the city's landfill. Using six trucks, it's expected to take 10-12 days to clear the lot on the corner of Main Street and Second Street.
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"I've seen a lot of changes in downtown in all my years of living here, but this will be one of the bigger ones," Montague said.
"All of the commissioners have some mixed feelings about bringing it down. But we feel we gave it a chance."
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
