Business in downtown Willmar, Minn., demolishes unused building space to gain parking lot
WILLMAR -- Demolition was under way Friday of an unused portion of the UMEC USA building in downtown Willmar.
The portion being demolished is located on Third Street Southwest and had housed apartments but the units were in disrepair and had not been rented for a long time, said City Building Official Randy Kardell.
He said UMEC received a building permit last week to perform the demolition. The exposed walls will have an exterior finish. Also, a basement will be excavated and filled for a parking lot, Kardell said.
The business opened in 2007 and is the national sales and service center for Universal Microelectronics Company of Taichung, Taiwan, which manufactures magnetic components, telecommunications products and power supplies.
The office is located on the second floor of the former Erickson Furniture Store at 313 Litchfield Ave. S.W. The longtime furniture store closed in 2005.
