City of Brownwood crews began the demolition of the former Red Cross Building on Adams Street to make way for a new central Station for the Brownwood Fire Department.

The land under the building is city property; however the building had been owned by the Red Cross which leased the land for approximately 33 years.  The City of Brownwood approved a termination of this lease and the bill of sale agreement for the purchase of the building at the April 9th city council meeting.

According to Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree, the Red Cross had agreed to vacate the building at the end of March and now that it is empty, deconstruction began on Wednesday morning at approximately 8:30 AM.  The Red Cross has since relocated to a new office at the Family Services Building, located at 901 Avenue B in Brownwood.

A road closure was also necessary for the building of the new fire station.  Brownwood City Council also voted to close and abandon the portion of East Chandler Street between Greenleaf and Congress Streets at their April 9th meeting.

Pictured above and below are photos of the demolition on Wednesday.

According to Rountree, plans and specifications of the building will most likely be considered at the first council meeting in May or June.  Engineers will complete the final plans and specifications for the structure.   It is expected that the council will go out for bids sometime in June, award a contract in July.  After a contract is awarded, construction will begin, according to Rountree.