Demolition is taking the weekend off but will likely resume Monday on the former Hornets Pointe apartment complex.
Demolition is in the early stages, and as of the weekend, much of the second floor had been brought down.
City commissioners approved the demolition in early July after fire essentially destroyed the building in mid-December. The goal is to have demolition complete and debris removed before Emporia State University begins its fall semester Aug. 22. City Manager Trey Cocking says the building owner will be billed for the work and expected to pay back the cost of construction to the city. If they fail to do so, Cocking says a tax lien will be placed on the property. If that is not paid, a tax foreclosure process will begin in an effort to sell the property.
Since the fire back in December, investigators have considered the case arson. Lyon County Crime Stoppers still has a reward of up to $1,000 leading to the arrest and convictions of those allegedly involved. No suspect information has been released. If you have information, call Emporia Fire at 620-343-4230, Emporia Police at 620-343-4200 or Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620-342-2273.
