After clinging to life for longer than expected, the UW-Madison dorm that students lovingly disparaged for its small and austere rooms seems finally on a clear path to demolition.

Ogg Hall was scheduled to be torn down by March 31, but the state of Wisconsin ended the contract with Dore and Associates, of Bay City, Mich., in March.

At that point, the west tower was only partially torn down and the east tower still stood.

State officials said the company was behind schedule and posed safety problems.

Dore and Associates disputes this and has filed a claim against the state for damages associated with the termination and for changes to conditions while they conducted the work, said Mark McAlpine, a lawyer for the company. The claim is still pending.

The state paid less than half of the $2 million contract, McAlpine said.

The state hired a new contractor, American Demolition Corp., of Elgin, Ill., in June for $688,400 to complete the job.

Now, the west tower is down and workers are systematically dismantling the east tower. They are on the 10th floor, out of 14, and removing 1 to 1.5 floors per week. The project manager said he expects the building removed by the end of October.

Site restoration is expected to begin in spring 2009.

-- Deborah Ziff

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