By Joe Bachman

A piece of Wisconsin Rapids history was demolished today.

The Good Time Charlies building, which also served as a former Labor Temple, went under demolition procedures on Tuesday morning. The demolition is a part of the triangle redevelopment project set to finish sometime in 2018.

The space will ultimately be developed into retail and housing spacing in efforts to revitalize the downtown area. Lane closures from 1st St. North to E. Jackson St. have been setup for the duration of the demolition process, which is slated to go approximately four days.

“Progress with the city’s redevelopment of the triangle block takes another visible step forward with the demolition of the former labor temple and sports bar,” said Mayor Zach Vruwink. “The building had been deemed unusable in the city’s plans to bring new businesses and residential to the site. — Solicitation of qualified developers is underway with a formal RFP issued in early 2017 to select a development partner.”

The project is headed by Robinson Brothers, a contracting firm based out of Waunakee.

Goodbye Charlie’s: An excavator tears into the Good Time Charlie’s building as part of the demolition process. (City Times Photo)