Grow Auburn Share Update on Repair Progress at 923 Central Avenue

Repair and demolition work at 923 Central Avenue is moving forward more than eight months after a semitrailer driver fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the building, causing extensive damage, according to police reports at the time.
Grow Auburn representative and Auburn City Administrator Crystal Dunekacke said the group has signed a demolition agreement with Peitzmeier Demolition of Omaha and a construction agreement with AHRS Construction of Bern, Kansas. Grow Auburn has also received a demolition permit from the City of Auburn. JEO Consulting Group will serve as structural engineer through the end of the project.
Contractors are working with the Auburn Board of Public Works and Black Hills Energy to relocate utilities ahead of demolition and construction.
Dunekacke said the construction schedule is not yet finalized and will depend on suppliers’ fabrication timelines. At the urging of engineers, the schedule is designed to have reconstruction begin immediately after demolition, limiting further damage to the two-story structure and protecting the basement foundation as much as possible.