ALAMOSA — Demolition of the Walsh Hotel, located at 617 Sixth St., begins Friday, Oct. 13, with Sixth Street between San Juan and State avenues scheduled to be closed all day. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is managing the project.
According to a press release from the city, the demolition is expected to last 3-4 weeks, prompting the closure of the parking lot adjacent to the Walsh for the duration of the project. When asked for alternative parking locations, the city suggested that drivers accustomed to parking in that lot consider parking in the large unpaved lot across State Avenue to the east or one of the city’s parking lots in the area, including a recently paved parking lot between Fourth Street and San Juan or, one block south, the paved parking lot that runs adjacent to the south side of Sixth Street.
Rachel James, director of Development Services, also said there are additional private lots in the downtown area that allow public parking.
The city is further advising that there may be periodic closure of the alley that runs between where the Walsh currently stands and the back doors of businesses on Main Street. The EPA is aware that deliveries and residential apartments need access to that alley and will work with businesses and residents.
At different times during the project, there may also be “lane reductions or full road closure” but the city provided no specific details about when those reductions or closures may take place. The Valley Courier previously reported the demolition was scheduled for Oct. 9 and has asked the city to elaborate on the delay.
The demolition and removal of debris includes the clean-up and disposal of asbestos contaminated materials, which will be kept wet to prevent any asbestos fibers from being spilled or becoming airborne. The waste will be loaded into boxes, covered with plastic liners, sealed and then delivered to a nearby landfill which is allowed to accept asbestos.
Demolition of the Walsh brings to an end to problems with the property that have plagued the City of Alamosa for several years. Thanks to strong advocacy from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Education, the EPA is funding the demolition using money from a special grant program created to address properties that are of significant danger to a community.
No details are available at this point about what is planned for future use of the property.
Anyone with questions should contact the Development Services Department at 719-589-6631 or via email at planning@ci.alamosa.co.us. The EPA has also established a website for ongoing site updates which can be found at response.epa.gov/AlamosaAsbestosWalshHotel.
