Video: Crews demolish Helena's Capital Hill Mall

Demolition crews have been working for nearly a month and a half tearing down Helena’s Capital Hill Mall in Montana.

D&M Development of Helena is leading the demolition and redevelopment effort of the 13-acre property, according to the Independent Record. Missouri River Contractors of Helena is a subcontractor on the job.

The 213,000-square-foot mall had been nearly empty for years, reports the Independent Record. The Dillard’s department store there closed in 2010, followed by J.C. Penney in 2017 and finally the last tenant, Lucky Lil’s Casino, in January.

The property first underwent asbestos abatement in January, which delayed demolition once contractors discovered it in the floors and soffits. They began removing materials by mid-February with excavators and other heavy equipment, reports the Independent Record.

The project manager estimated about 70-80 percent of the debris will be recycled, according to news channel 9 KXLH. The steel will be taken to metal recycling businesses, while much the concrete and other materials will be used as fill for other construction. The remaining 20-30 percent of the debris will go to the landfill.

Demolition work is expected to wrap up later this month. Developers are looking into building apartments, hotel and other mixed-use commercial structures onsite.

Watch here as an excavator pushes down the last of the Dillard’s building, courtesy of Cameron Boster: