Nearly $80,000 under budget, the Astoria City Council approved a bid from Pacific Timber of Astoria to demolish the old Safeway square once and for all.

But if you thought demolition would make the eyesore go away, youd be mistaken.

Basically, everything thats in the perimeter of  (the fence), thats going to be open, said Public Works Director Ken Cook at the special City Council meeting Tuesday morning, describing the 100-by-100 foot space expected to be exposed. Thats roughly three times the size of the crater now.

Pacific Timber submitted the lowest bid of four, to the tune of $36,148.93. The first estimate of the cost by City Manager Paul Benoit was thought to be $115,000. The other three bids submitted ranged from $70,000 to $85,000.

The project will include drainage improvements to the square, as well as removal of all debris, including the basement floor if found necessary once demolition begins. 

Pacific Timber crews plan to recycle the materials, said Assistant City Engineer Nathan Crater, explaining the significantly lower bid.

A railing will then be put in place around the area until the city comes up with a plan.

The cost will be funded through the Astor East Urban Renewal District funds.

Letter approved

The council also officially endorsed the open letter to citizens released to the media this week written by Mayor Willis Van Dusen and signed by City Council members that addresses the handling of drunken-driving (DUII) cases in Astoria Municipal Court. The council voted to approve the letter Tuesday morning. The letter was published in The Daily Astorian Monday and suggests the adoption of a policy for an annual review of the court system, according to City Attorney Blair Henningsgaard. The City Council voted in approval of the policy, with the guidelines for reviewing the court system to come at a later meeting.