Holly Approves Bid to Remove Waterworks Building

Holly Approves Bid to Remove Waterworks Building

(Crystal A. Proxmire, Aug. 8, 2017)

Holly, MI -The boarded up Waterworks Building in Waterworks Park is slated for demolition after a unanimous vote by the Village of Holly Council Tuesday night.

The building housed a water wheel and other pumping mechanisms that have long been out of service, and in 2006 it was shuttered after Fire Chief Jack Hollands was seriously injured in 2006 when the floor gave way beneath him.

In April the Village Council discussed demolition and gave the public until July 1 to research potential alternatives and see if there were any parties interested in restoring the building. Estimates obtained by the Village started at $100,000 to bring the building up code, and an additional $100,000 to build it for any use. Among the problems are holes in the roof, water and mildew damage, unstable floors and cracks in the brick exterior.

The Village of Holly council voted unanimously to approve a bid of up to $10,000 not to exceed $25,000 to Bruce Low Excavating to demolish the building.

“We just did a quick walk through before this meeting and there’s cool nick knacks, bottles and things we can save,” said Councilperson Dave Cruickshank.  He assured the public that items large and small would be saved.

The decision for what to do with the space remains for future discussion. Some suggestions at the meeting included an observation deck, a gazebo, and historic markers.

As part of the discussion, Cruickshank shared an enlarged historic photo of the buildings at the site.  The mill and large brick water pumping facility sat where the parking lot for the park is currently.  Those burned down and even the current building is a rebuild of a previous facility.  “In reality the Waterworks then looks nothing like it does today.”

Councilperson Ryan Shiel inquired about environmental concerns, and city administration noted that a soil erosion plan would have to be completed for Oakland County as part of the demolition, and the company would be required to prevent debris from going into the nearby Shiawassee River.

Demolition is expected to be completed in the fall.

For more on the history of the property and the discussion leading up to Council’s decision, check out our previous story HERE.