The City of Fulton has received a Community Development Block Grant to tear down the old International Shoe Factory.
Gayla Dunn, the city's community development officer, said the Department of Economic Development awarded the city a $250,000 grant to tear down the building. The total cost of the project is $376,510.
Dunn said the city decided to demolish the building in part because of the astronomical cost of renovation -repairs for the roof alone were estimated at $400,000.
"Then you have to consider where the building is located (next to Veterans Park)," Dunn said. "If it becomes more run down, kids would have easier access and it could become as much of a hazard as the old power plant was."
"The building's a serious health and safety concern for the community," Director of Administration Bill Johnson agreed. "Time and age has gotten to it. The main floor is wood joists, there are lots of metal posts for support - it's very limited for future use."
Dunn said there still are a few things that need to be taken care of before demolition can be started.
"Basically, we have some environmental hoops to jump through before the funds are released. We're looking at a Phase II and probably a NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) review," she said. "Once that's submitted and approved, then we can put specifications out for the demolition, which hopefully will be sometime this fall."