Demolition starts on former Mirro building in Manitowoc

MANITOWOC, Wis. (WFRV) - Today demolition started on a lakeshore eyesore.

"When the windows came out I saw so many people pulling over to take pictures of it because everybody knows somebody who used to work here way back in the day" says Ryan Witkauskis, a longtime Manitowoc resident.

For more than a decade the one million square foot building reminded the community of lost jobs.

"It has been an eye sore" says Michelle Olson another resident.

The toll it took was not only emotional.

"It is a safety concern, it is a health concern because of the asbestos that was in there" explains Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels.

Valuable materials, including wood, steel and bricks have been removed to help offset the demolition costs, estimated at more than $6 million.

"The city has wanted to see one of those buildings down for a long time" says Eric J. Spirtas, who owns the dilapidated building.

The building has been vacant since 2003 and while it takes up a large footprint in the city of Manitowoc, the city sees very little tax benefit.

According to Mayor Nickels "To get something in its place is a win win no matter what it is"

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Demolition starts on former Mirro building in Manitowoc