Demolition at 134 Adrian Street complete

From this … (Thursday morning, Feb. 22 — prior to demolition beginning)

Story and photos by Marsha Chartrand

There is a long and storied history to the home at 134 Adrian Street. No one actually knows the whole story, but it was not always a burned-out, blighted property sitting alone in the middle of what is now a parking lot.

But that is how most people will remember it, although the once-stately house has stood since the 1870s and probably several families have owned it over the years. Two other homes were located on the south side of the block facing Adrian, three more across the lot to the west, and at one time a car dealership stood between 134 Adrian and Ockrow Street.

1870 map shows Exchange Place (top) and Ockrow Street (middle) between Adrian and Clinton streets. The house at 134 Adrian eventually had two homes south of it (toward Duncan) and an auto dealership between 134 and Ockrow.

City Manager Michael Sessions has, of course, never seen it any other way. This is how he “inherited” the project two years ago when he came to Manchester. Retired Village Manager Jeff Wallace had long been working with previous owner, Cathy Dean, to attempt to purchase the house and its footprint, which was the only property that came with the house.

Since acquiring the Comerica Bank drive-through site, which had been demolished by prior owner Ron Milkey, the City then owned all of the property in that lot except the 134 Adrian Street house.

“People don’t realize,” Sessions said, “that there has been a lot of behind-the-scenes work, for a very long time, and we finally got something substantial done.”

He added, “Bringing this project to conclusion feels good not only from a personal standpoint, but for the entire community — there is no longer a blighted property in the downtown area, affecting the entire surrounding area. We can have an even better Farmers Market this summer. And even though it will be primarily a parking lot, it will be used for many other purposes than just parking.”

Sessions was pleased to hear many positive comments over the days following the demolition, as he spoke to residents, business owners, and others around the community.

The work originally started as part of the enforcement of the vacant building ordinance but over time, Sessions and other Village/City staff members built a relationship with Dean to encourage her to sell the property and allow the community to have use of it. After some time and many negotiations, Dean finally agreed. The property then had to be surveyed, inspected, and an asbestos assessment and removal done before it could be demolished. As City Mayor Pat Vailliencourt said, “The wheels of Government turn slowly.”

Indeed, they do. But once they get started, the process can move along pretty well. It took about an hour from start to finish for the demolition to be completed. And then, other than filling it in, it was done.

The south side of the house was a quick study for the crew from Lester Brothers who were contracted for the demolition.

The four walls were flattened in about 50 minutes.

… to this (Thursday afternoon, Feb. 22, 2024). It took less than an hour to complete the actual demolition of 134 Adrian Street, although the process leading up to the activity on Feb. 22 (and cleanup on Feb. 23) was much longer.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.