The "next big step" for the Broyhill property in Conover, NC is demolition, said City Manager Donald Duncan. But residents can expect little to no nuisances such as noise and dust during the activity, set to begin no earlier than Dec. 1.

"All they will see are tractor loaders with pinchers," Duncan said.

The method chosen for the demolition, to be undertaken by D.H. Griffin for an estimated $300,000, is the use of claws to pull down the structure.

"The reason for using this method is that it is cleaner and more precise. We want to save portions of the building or structure, and if we were to blow it up, it would take away that potential," Duncan said.

Jerry Deakle, of TBREC, the consultants and project manager for the property's renovation, said the idea is to save and reuse as many of the existing materials as possible, saving the cost of buying new material and of having the old material hauled away. Workers will be saving as much of the existing concrete, brick, wood and steel from the buildings as possible. The estimated amount of concrete, brick and wood on the property is between 15,000 and 25,000 tons.

"The concrete and historical brick will be set aside for architectural or structural use," Deakle said. "We'll be sending as little as possible to the landfill," he added.

The plans for the site include a multi-transit center melding passenger rail service with other modes of transportation for incoming passengers, a civic area and a park area, set in the large amount of green lands on the property.

All buildings on the property will be torn down, with the exception of portions of the Warlong Glove Factory and the finishing building where furniture was "finished," that will be used as a seed building to attract businesses and industries to the area. The building has 40,000 square-feet, 20,000 square-feet on each floor, and can be renovated for a future employment center or numerous other uses. It is appropriate for office space, light manufacturing or a mixture of both, Duncan said.

"We're keeping it because it is structurally pretty sound and has unique architectural features such as rounded corners with tempered glass windows," he said. "We see it as an opportunity to rejuvenate downtown Conover. Most downtowns do not have employment centers, but we see it as a way to make the downtown thrive."

Duncan said the building's plumbing system and electrical units will be stripped, making any rehabilitation necessary that much faster for an occupant.

The demolition will begin sometime in early December and is estimated to be finished in February. A one-half day public workshop will be scheduled for early March for the public to give input on the development of the property.
Planning Director Lance Hight said the park will make use of an existing stream for aesthetics and function.

"We want to make it an educational piece showing storm water management," Hight said.

The park, which will be under construction by 2010, also will include walking trails and a multi-use amphitheater structure.