A number of former mill structures will be torn down in order to make way for a brand-new $1.5 million strip mill project. The row of mill buildings along Mile Lock Lane began to be slowly torn down last week. The work is being done by workers for Independence Excavating of Independence, Ohio. "It is actually 26 different structures that we are taking down to make room for the new building," said Leo Slansky, project manager for Independence.

Allegheny Technologies Inc. spokesman Dan Greenfield that sometime next year, the demolition will finally be complete. According to Slansky, the demolition project "is probably one of the largest ones we've done this year." Slansky added that it is refreshing to see new development coming into the area. "The last thing they are doing is building mills, so it's good to see one that is," he said.

A large amount of debris from the site will be recycled for use in the new building. "They are looking to reuse all of it," Slansky said. "All the brick and concrete material will be crushed and used ... like gravel. They don't have any specific uses for it yet, but they will stockpile it and use it as needed."

Slansky added that there also are 40 workers on site from Precision Environmental who are undertaking asbestos abatement and other environmental work. Asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma and other conditions. Altogether, the project is going well. "We've had no problems," Slansky said. "Things are going well on the engineering phase and the demolition phase."