A historic building in downtown Flemingsburg is being demolished. Officials said the more than 170-year-old structure was beginning to pose a safety risk to the community.
The Fried Building was constructed around 1852. It housed several businesses and was eventually purchased by the Fried family. The building was used by the family and others until the 1990s. Flemingsburg Mayor Van Alexander said new businesses will be located where the Fried Building once stood.
“We want something to create commerce and economic growth. Downtowns need to be really thought of. That’s where it all happened in the early years, and it can start happening again now,” said Alexander.
Mayor Alexander said the city investigated renovating the building before resorting to demolition. Alexander said engineers reported it was showing signs of collapse.
“It was going to fall. The walls were already bulging. The building had already moved considerably, and it was going to be in the street or on top of somebody,” said Alexander.
An optometrist’s office next to the Fried Building also had to be removed. Officials said if the building were to fall, it would have taken connected structures with it.
Alexander said they have spoken with many potential businesses, but they have not yet decided what will go in the space.