NEW ALBANY, Ind. (WDRB) — Work began Monday to tear down New Albany's Parkview Tower housing complex.

The decision to demolish the building came after officials determined renovation of the building wasn't possible following a 2025 fire at the apartments. 

Parkview Tower was about two-thirds occupied when the fire broke out March 22. Emergency responders rushed to evacuate residents as thick smoke spread through the floors. Twenty-three people were sent to the hospital for smoke inhalation, and 47 people were displaced.

The Indiana State Fire Marshal's Office investigated the fire and said it didn't appear to be intentional. However, officials have yet to release the cause.

"Since that time, we've evacuated and rehoused everyone that was here and been going through the process with Housing and Urban Development to get to a point, today, where we can dispose of the building and take it down," said David Duggins, executive director of the New Albany Housing Authority.

The New Albany Housing Authority approved the demolition plan for Parkview Tower. It will cost an estimated $1.3 million to complete the demolition. 

"It served its purpose, and it's now time to look forward," Duggins said Monday.

The nine-story tower was built in 1964.

"I have some family that have stayed in here and some friends that have stayed in here," said James Rupp, who lives in the nearby Parkview Terrace apartments. "So it's kind of sad but, at the same time, it's needed."

While Rupp has great memories of time he spent with his sister and grandmother in the tower, he understands why it must come down.

"It's outdated. I'll put it that way," he said. "It was very outdated. It needed updates."

The building was originally supposed to be demolished already. Plans called for the work to be complete by May. However, officials found issues with asbestos in the building and had to relocate five residents in nearby units. Following those delays, work began Monday and is scheduled to finish in about 45 days.

"It's gonna be loud," Duggins said. "There'll be a lot of trucks in and out, and what we'll do is we'll do our best."

Once the property is cleared, the housing authority will determine what's next for the site. While that's not clear yey, officials said it won't be another high rise.

"We won't ever do that again," Duggins said. "For our size of community, that's just too much for everybody to manage, including our fire department,. So we'll never look at anything that's that height again."

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