Demolition underway of Lorden building in Davis Park in Rockford
By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A 106-year-old building with roots in the city’s knitting industry is on its way to being reduced to rubble.
N-Trak Group of Loves Park began work Tuesday to tear down the Lorden building, 320 S. Wyman St., in Davis Park.
“It’s going to take multiple weeks. It’s a large project,” said Karl Franzen, the city’s director of community and economic development. “We don’t have a definitive timeline, but I would expect between 14 and 21 days.”
The seven-story building was seen by city staff as an obstacle to revamping Davis Park, the only park owned by the city.
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The city’s plan calls for Davis Park to be renovated to include a sun-tanning beach, multi-use trail, splash pads, canopy stage, skate park and a plaza with space for food trucks during special events.
However, some preservationists wanted to save the building, which was seen as an important tie to the city’s industrial heritage and a longstanding piece of Rockford’s downtown skyline.
City officials felt they did substantial due diligence before deciding on demolition, but that there weren’t any feasible redevelopment plans.
City Council members in September approved a $1.14 million contract with N-Trak to demolish the property.
This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on Twitter at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas.
