HARLINGEN — Two months after one of the city’s biggest fires in years, the owner of Johnny’s True Value Hardware is razing the building.

The demolition of the building at 914 W. Tyler Ave. is expected to be competed in about two weeks, Assistant City Manager Josh Ramirez said Wednesday.

On Monday, a company began razing the building, he said.

”Considering the condition of the building, it was a safety concern,” Ramirez said. “It’s a potential hazard. We were concerned a storm could pick up projectiles.”

Last week, the city granted owner James Hess a permit to demolish the building, Fire Chief Rafael Balderas said.

“All the criteria required for demolition have been taken care of,” he said.

Since the July 22 fire, city officials have closed off Tyler Avenue’s outbound lane while fenci

See Full Page