It is to be rebuilt at some stage.
The edifice was constructed entirely of timber except for some steel connectors. It was 13.5 feet by 13.6 feet and the tower consisted of six stories and was topped with a small balcony.
It was an integral part of the main structure of the ground and first floors of the building but was free standing over the other floors. A steep internal staircase provided access to the top of the structure. From the second floor upwards, there was one window on each side of the tower.
The $1 million exercise was undertaken by contractor, Dwayne Ferdinand, of Home Design and Engineering and commenced yesterday morning.
Up to late afternoon, three stories, including the small balcony were removed and placed on an empty lot nearby for further preservation.
Town Clerk, Merlyn Henry told Stabroek News that the urgency of the dismantling was due to the fact that debris was constantly falling from the disintegrating structure.
A teenager reported that on Saturday at mid-day, it was windy and he witnessed glass and other debris falling from the tower. As a result, the area had to be cordoned off, resulting in shoppers being diverted to another entrance of the town’s lone market.
Henry yesterday said the task was astutely preformed despite the electricity wires in close proximity.
She said that letters were sent to the relevant authorities and persons were spoken to but the electricity was not disconnected.
Questioned about the next step with respect to restoring the tower, Henry said the cost amounts to $16.5 million and the council currently does not have this sum in its coffers. She, however, expressed optimism that the sum will be realized.
During the exercise yesterday, the tradesmen encountered several wasp nests, old nails and fastenings which were challenging to remove but they eventually succeeded in doing so.
