Demolition to begin at Bridge Street property in Willimantic

The building at 85 Bridge Street that will be demolished. WILLIMANTIC — Demolition on the town-owned property at 85 Bridge Street will soon be underway. The commercial property at 85 Bridge Street is set to be demolished after a fire destroyed it earlier this year.

The 3,375-square-foot property went up in flames February 9, after fire personnel said it was caused by the improper use of an electric space heater connected to an extension cord. According to property records, the building was built in 1900 and sits on a 5,663-square-foot lot.

The property was sold to the Town of Windham for $58,856 on November 18, 2025. “The cleanup of the commercial property, not a residential structure, was approved at the council meeting, and the demo contractor is moving forward with permitting and utility disconnections now,” said Matthew Vertefeuille, CZEO, Planner and Director for the Department of Development for the Town of Windham.

Work will begin any day now for the demolition of the building. In April, the town issued a Request for Proposals seeking qualified contractors to perform full demolition and restoration of the fire-damaged building on the property.