Pictured here is an aerial shot of the Hotel Marysville demolition taken on Dec. 16. Current detours and road closures are expected to be removed by the end of January or early February of 2025 following a complete demolition. Photo courtesy of Brian Davis

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - The official demolition process of the historic Hotel Marysville began on Dec. 11, nearly a full six months after a fire rendered the building unsalvageable on June 15.

The cause of the fire remains undetermined but engineering reports confirmed that the building contained asbestos and was at risk of collapsing. Since then, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the City of Marysville and local authorities have worked to address these public safety risks, which included setting up a safety perimeter and shutting down a portion of State Route 70 between 3rd and 6th streets.

The detours that were established through the neighboring streets of downtown Marysville will remain in place until State Route 70 is able to open back up in full following the complete demolition of the hotel. Caltrans and Marysville city leaders estimate demolition to be completed by the end of January or early February.

“The entire building will be demolished. Then the highway will be reopened,” said Dan Flores, Marysville’s director of community and economic development. “The city will begin actively marketing the property within the next few weeks. There is no specific plan for the property at this time.”

According to a statement from Caltrans, truck drivers should detour off State Route 70 before entering Marysville and use Simpson Lane to bypass the closure. Detour signage will remain in place until the re-opening of State Route 70 and travelers have been asked to allow extra time to navigate the area or use an alternative route, such as State Route 99. Caltrans will issue updates on X @CaltransDist3 and on Facebook at CaltransDistrict3.

Most local businesses will remain open during the demolition process. Owners report varying experiences with the detour routes and road closures with some citing an increase in foot traffic while others feel it has diminished their visibility.

“We are one of the lucky ones, that traffic was directed toward us, instead of away and we are so grateful,” said Nicole Franco, owner of the Woodbutcher located at 301 C St. in Marysville. “Although the detours are a constant complaint from people that come in, I think they’re kind of used to it now. I am looking forward to having everything open, I feel like Marysville was on an upturn and then held back from the progress we were making. I think the added stress from traffic and such has been tough for everyone in the community… it’ll be nice to feel ‘normal.’”

Franco added that she hopes to see the hotel grounds developed into additional retail space with a variety of shops and a parking garage above.

“It has been pretty difficult to park near our office or to cross the street from our office for donors to drop off donated items such as shoes and blankets,” said Brian Davis, owner of Be Xtra, a local nonprofit photography group located at 417 4th St. in Marysville. “Can’t wait for the traffic flow on 4th to return to normal and being able to have people drop off or pick up donations with ease again. I’d love to see another hotel replace the current site that would house some shops and restaurants right in the heart of downtown Marysville.”