Williams house demolished - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- For some Rochester community members, it's been a long fight to keep the Williams house standing in downtown Rochester.

That fight came to an end Tuesday morning as crews bulldozed the 144-year-old structure.

The Williams house at 506 Fifth St. S.W. was built by a Civil War colonel and Rochester mayor but is now owned by Hamilton Real Estate.

The building became the center of controversy in Rochester after it and the building next door were purchased by Rochester developer Mac Hamilton.

Hamilton originally planned to build a 52-unit apartment complex at the site, but the city council voted against a zoning change.

Some said they should have done more to protect the building.

Rochester antique store owner John Kruesel and others say the city needs a better system of designating historic sites and a more open forum for public concerns.

Instead of that 52-unit apartment, developer Mac Hamilton is expected to propose a scaled-down plan for the site.

He was not available for comment Tuesday.

Hamilton's supporters said the building was deteriorating and may have had asbestos.

For some Rochester community members, it's been a long fight to keep the Williams house standing in downtown Rochester.

That fight came to an end Tuesday morning as crews bulldozed the 144-year-old structure.

The Williams house at 506 Fifth St. S.W. was built by a Civil War colonel and Rochester mayor but is now owned by Hamilton Real Estate.

The building became the center of controversy in Rochester after it and the building next door were purchased by Rochester developer Mac Hamilton.

Hamilton originally planned to build a 52-unit apartment complex at the site, but the city council voted against a zoning change.

Some said they should have done more to protect the building.

Rochester antique store owner John Kruesel and others say the city needs a better system of designating historic sites and a more open forum for public concerns.

Instead of that 52-unit apartment, developer Mac Hamilton is expected to propose a scaled-down plan for the site.

He was not available for comment Tuesday.

Hamilton's supporters said the building was deteriorating and may have had asbestos.