Demolition of historic Apple Growers building begins

Construction workers begin demolishing the concrete walls at the Apple Growers Ice & Cold Storage building Monday. (Photo by Tarmo Hannula/Register-Pajaronian)

WATSONVILLE — Apple Growers Ice & Cold Storage Co., which was severely damaged in a four-alarm fire last year, is being demolished and unless a buyer expresses interest in purchasing the remaining structures, the business will likely be completely razed, according to Mark Corley, project manager and consultant for Redenbacher & Corley Construction Services, the company in charge of the work.

Corley said the two central cold storage facilities, which were most damaged in the fire, are being razed first to give potential buyers a chance to purchase the remaining structures, which total 17,000 square feet and can still be used for storage.

But the entire business at 850 West Beach Street, which once comprised five structures, will likely be completely razed over the next two months, leaving behind a 3.5-acre parcel with an asking price of $1.5 million, Corley said.

Jerry, a former employee who would only give his first name, said he drove a forklift for the business for 18 years before he was laid off two months ago.

After the fire in April 2011 destroyed the middle portion of the building that was used as cold storage for apples and juice, much of the business was rendered largely inoperable, Jerry said.

The last usable building -- just to the left of the cold storage rooms that burned -- was used for six months to store onions as recently as last winter. After the onions were removed, however, the owners permanently closed the business, Jerry said.

“We got rid of them, and then they laid us off,” he said. “Their plan is to shut it down.”



For the complete article see the 05-22-2012 issue.

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