CLEVELAND — Demolition is officially underway at the former Sheraton Cleveland Airport Hotel.
The demolition started with a symbolic moment as sledgehammers were slammed into an image of the building.
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport symbolically kicked off the demolition with the following individuals in attendance.
- Councilman Kerry McCormack
- Director of Port Control Bryant L. Francis
At a press conference Wednesday morning, one official said the contractor will conduct a mechanical demolition of the building, with the work expected to be complete by early next year.
“To see and make way for the future, sometimes you must break through walls -- figuratively and literally. So today, let’s break through the wall.”
This is one of the early components of a multi-year Terminal Modernization Development Program.
According to 3News media partner Cleveland.com, the property is expected to be used to add surface parking to the airport grounds in the short term. In the long term, the city is considering adding a second parking garage to the airport property.
The airport also told Cleveland.com that the demolition could take up to four months. Due to the building's proximity to the airport, it will be brought down using excavators and other heavy equipment, not explosives.
The full press conference can be watched below: