Bever Building demolition inches closer

Crews removed a billboard from the structure Friday

A crew works on removing the billboard from the roof of the Bever Building at 417 First Ave. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids on Friday, May 4, 2018. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)
A crew works on removing the billboard from the roof of the Bever Building at 417 First Ave. SE in downtown Cedar Rapids on Friday, May 4, 2018. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — Three buildings in the 400 block of First Avenue SE in downtown Cedar Rapids are coming closer to demolition.

Crews could be seen Friday taking down a billboard from the roof of the Bever Building. Other work to remove building elements has occurred in recent days.

Skogman Cos. plans to demolish the Bever Building and two adjacent structures later this month. The real estate business will construct a new $11 million, 40,000-square-foot headquarters building on the site.

Skogman currently works out of the First Avenue Building, next to the Bever at 411 First Ave. SE, which would not be demolished.

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