And then dumped part of the parking lot in it/
Reading comprehension fail or insider knowledge? The article says, "Demolition work on the building was halted. With the building off limits, the contractors then moved to tear up the asphalt parking lot." I don't see where it was "dumped part of the parking lot in it".
Also, the article only has one side saying, ""The contractor knew that the judge was literally on the theater grounds signing the order in the car, and they rushed over to punch a hole in the building with the excavator while she was signing it," Hansen said." We don't know the actual timeline or how/when they served said stay to the demolition company. There is no comment in the article from said company. Did they actually "rush" to punch a hole in the building?
They did indeed push asphalt, dirt, and rubble into the lobby of the building after they were ordered to halt demolition. I stopped by there yesterday evening and observed with my own eyes. The latest round of pictures all clearly show this.
Also, that isn't a one-sided comment. That is exactly what happened according to all witnesses who were there. There was no hole in the building prior to the judge arriving on the property. Between the time of her arriving on the property (and making her presence known) and signing the papers granting an injunction, the demolition company punched a hole in the building's facade.
FURTHER, improper measures were taken to contain demolition debris. There was no chain-link fence securing the site, just a crime scene ribbon and a small section of orange construction fence. The debris was not sprayed down with water to prevent it from flying all over the place. There is now photographic evidence this morning of demolition silt and sludge flowing into the parking lot's storm drains thanks to the rain storm yesterday -- which drain into the nearby lake.
The PCA is now involved in this debacle. Many laws were broken by Inland Development/Brixmor yesterday. All because some greedy sons-of-bitches want their $4,000,000 in tax increment financing -- historic building and environment be damned.
Good job, Inland. Glad to know you care so much about the welfare of Birdtown.