Former Mervyns building comes down for new park, road
As a crowd of onlookers cheers, construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project.
People watch as construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
Construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
People watch as construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
Orem Mayor Richard Brunst picks up a sledge hammer to take a few ceremonial swings before construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
People watch as construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
University Mall Manager Rob Kallas speaks before construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
Construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
People watch as construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
Construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
People watch as construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
Construction crews begin demolition of the old Mervyns department store, one of the original anchor tenants of the University Mall in Orem, on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. A new park will be built in the building's location as part of the ongoing University Place development project. SPENSER HEAPS, Daily Herald
OREM – It had been an anchor at University Mall since 1981, but on Tuesday demolition crews started the two-month demolition on the former Mervyns building in preparation for a new park and road at University Place.
“This is another step in moving the University Mall to University Place,” said Rob Kallas, mall manager.
It will take crews two months to complete the demolition, because they are trying to recycle and use as many parts of the 92,000-square-foot building as they can.
“We will grind up the concrete and use it as fill for the project,” Kallas said. “Even the escalator will be recycled, as well as other interior features.”
Nearly 200 residents and mall employees joined city officials in saying goodbye to the building. The building has been vacated since 2008, when Mervyns’ national chain went out of business.
“Mervyns served us well for 27 years,” said Mayor Richard Brunst. “Today the wind is blowing, and Mervyns is blowing away for a new park. This is exciting.”
Brunst noted it was important the University Place project was approved.
“A mall needs to re-invent itself about every 17 to 20 years,” Brunst said. “It’s time.”
City Manager Jamie Davidson said the ongoing efforts between the city and Woodbury Corporation, owner of the mall, concerning the new University Place development have been in the making for several years.
“The project is right on target,” Davidson said. “This has been a real cooperative effort.”
By July, residents will be able to see the road infrastructure started on the west side of the project by State Street, and the park — with a number of features and amenities — will start being laid out on the east side.
It is anticipated the park will be ready for use by the summer of 2016.
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