Loomis finally removes WW Moulding building

The Town of Loomis has finally removed the shuttered WW Moulding building on Taylor Road to make way for much-needed downtown parking. Saving the Town thousands of dollars, Loomis volunteers prepped the property for construction next week, Town Manager Wes Heathcock said this week. The parking lot work should be finished by April 20, he said. The Town of Loomis has owned the Moulding property since 2008 and has made numerous attempts over the past five years to commercially develop the nearly four-acre site, with no success. The property was then declared as surplus in 2022 under the state Surplus Land Act, pushing low-income housing. The state required the Town to offer the property to affordable housing builders before selling the property for business, staff said. The Town then tried to develop the lot for low-income housing, but that effort also failed. The council, staff and community then had second thoughts last year and took back the property from state control for downtown parking. "Although parking does exist downtown, these spots fill quickly, especially during peak hours or if there are outdoor events," staff said in the report. Scott Paris Enterprises purchased the rusting structure before the Town terminating the lease, and Paris has found a buyer for the building and removed it last month. "I want to highlight and thank the members of the public – professional people that are actually in this industry – that have donated their time or equipment," Heathcock said at the Tuesday council meeting. The manager thanked volunteers Tibi Molnar, K.D. Molnar and Al Fragione for donating time to prepare the property, saving the Town $65,000. LIG Rentals of Loomis donated all the equipment for prep work. "These people are coming in on their spring break," said Councilmember Amanda Cortez. The Town manager said the actual improvements will begin April 14 and should be done by April 20. "I really want to thank everyone in the community," said Heathcock, adding the Town also received multiple letters from other interested citizens who want to chip in. "We're going to be combining these volunteers' expertise and utilize them in future projects as well."