Kingsway Hotel demolition starts Jan. 6

A derelict Sudbury landmark will become a memory in a few months, when the former Kingsway Hotel is torn down at a cost of $118,500.

“It is anticipated that it will take approximately three weeks to demolish the structure and to remove salvage materials,” the city said in a release Friday. “A fence will be put up around the site to ensure safety during demolition. The fence will remain up until the spring, when the work will be completed.”

Work will begin Jan. 6, with the demolition expected to take about three weeks, followed by environmental cleanup. Once demolition and cleanup is complete, the city can declare the property surplus and put it up for sale.

In its tender for the work, the city sought bids to demolish the three-storey concrete structure, which is about 10,000 square feet, “down to foundation.” The former hotel has been a restaurant, gas station and car repair shop, but has been vacant since the 2009 fire.

In 2010, after four years of tax arrears, the city placed a lien on the property and tried twice to sell it as part of public tax sales.

“No bids were received in either sale,” a release from the city said.

So late last year, city council voted to “vest” or take over ownership of the property and proceed with demolition.

@darrenmacd