Say Goodbye To The Allied Arts Building

A building that's been at Gilbert Park since the 1930's will be demolished Saturday morning. City officials say More than a year ago, Allied Arts officials asked the City of Yakima’s Codes Division to inspect the building because they were concerned about its structural integrity. Inspections revealed a significantly bulging exterior wall, problems with the roof trusses, and other dangerous conditions in the building. The problems found forced its closure. The building was originally a fruit warehouse owned by the Gilbert family. In 1951, it was donated by the family to the City of Yakima for use as an arts center. The City has contracted with Russell Crane Services, Inc., a Yakima contracting firm, to raze the Allied Arts building at an estimated cost of $100,000.The area where the building has been located since the 1930s will eventually be planted with grass.