Ryrie Street’s eastbound lanes are set to reopen next Monday as the demolition of iconic 1920s building Belchers Corner nears completion.
Council also plans to reopen nearby footpaths on Ryrie and Moorabool streets on Monday.
“The temporary fencing immediately around the Belchers Corner will be moved closer to the site while hoarding is erected,” council’s planning director, Gareth Smith, said on Wednesday.
“Temporary fencing in front of neighbouring businesses will be completely removed.”
Mr Smith expected demolition to conclude in coming weeks with workers continuing to repair the roof, guttering, awnings, ceilings and walls of the neighbouring Belchers Building on Moorabool Street.
“These works are expected to continue for a further three-to-four weeks after the road has opened.”
Structural problems, the discovery of asbestos and COVID-19 restrictions have delayed the demolition, initially scheduled for completion in April.
“During the demolition process, discoveries were made in the building structure that were different to initial expectations and historical plans, and the structural integrity was worse than expected,” Mr Smith said.
“This caused delays as additional safety and support measures were required and demolition plans have had to change.
“Another significant obstacle was the requirement for permanent bracing to the Belchers Building southern wall and support to the parapet.
“These works required engineering design, manufacturing of bracing and installation. There were also some issues with the supply of bracing materials, which caused additional delays.
“We have reduced the number of workers on-site to ensure compliance with COVID-19 regulations have been met.”
Council evicted 24 businesses from Belchers Corner in mid-2018 after the discovery of concrete cancer that had caused the building to compress by about six centimetres.
City Hall aimed to recover “100 per cent” of the combined $2 million cost of demolition and stabilising the building, Mr Smith said in January.
The site is located in a zone with a “maximum preferred height” of 32 metres but no mandatory height limit.
In January, Mr Smith said council was aware of “some interest in potential purchase” of the site following demolition.
Meanwhile, work has commenced on central Geelong’s new $220 million civic precinct including a new six-storey council headquarters and neighbouring commercial building.
Contractors have started clearing the Mercer Street carpark as part of the project, which council expects will create 900 construction jobs.
Council has contributed $102.5 million to the precinct.
