Rushnell Funeral Homes owner Craig Rushnell and family have released a statement on the demolition of Coleman Castle on North Front Street.
Work to tear down the 151-year-old building began Thursday after they received a demolition permit from the city.
While it once housed a funeral home, it has been vacant for the last several years and is not a designated heritage property.
In his statement, Craig Rushnell says the decision to demolish the property was not made lightly but was deemed necessary due to several critical factors.
The property was on the market for more than three years with several price reductions and no serious interest.
The building had also been broken into and materials stolen.
Rushnell says they realize that Belleville is facing an urgent housing crisis and they are in the planning stages of transforming the property into a 200-unit building.
They plan to work closely with city officials and the community to ensure the redevelopment project aligns with Belleville’s needs.
Read the full statement below:
We want to wholeheartedly address the concerns surrounding our decision to demolish the property at 68 North Front Street. It is essential to emphasize that this choice was not made lightly but was deemed necessary due to several critical factors. For more than three years, the property remained on the market, with numerous price reductions, without attracting any serious interest from potential buyers. Furthermore, the building’s security was repeatedly compromised by break-ins, raising significant safety concerns and resulting in the theft of crucial materials. It is well-known that vacant buildings, like ours, pose a considerable fire risk to our community. In addition to these challenges, we recognize the urgent housing crisis facing Belleville. To address this issue, we are in the planning stages of transforming the property into a 200-unit building. We are fully committed to collaborating closely with city officials, local organizations, and the community to ensure that the redevelopment project aligns with Belleville’s needs and aspirations. Your ongoing support is immensely valued, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to improving Belleville and making it a better place for all residents.
Sincerely, Craig Rushnell – owner
