BOUNTIFUL -- While there is still a large portion of the old JC Penney building standing at the corner of Main St. and Pages Lane, Bountiful City Planner Aric Jensen said the demolition was going just as planned. Demolition began on Oct. 31 when more than 1,000 people came to the site to see a wrecking ball take out the first few chunks of the building. Since that time, crews have been working at tearing down the building as efficiently as possible, Jensen said. While it typically wouldn't take this long to demolish a building, crews have been slowed by an effort to recycle things at the building.

"Because they are recycling all the materials they have to sort them as they go," Jensen said.

Jensen said the demolition should be finished soon. For the first couple months of 2006, the site will be readied for construction.

At the end of February or beginning of March, crews will begin to lay the foundation for the main building.

"From that point it will be a continual progression," Jensen said.

Arctic Circle, which has already committed to building on the site, will also begin construction soon, Jensen said.

"As far as I know Arctic Circle will begin construction in the next couple of weeks," Jensen said.

He said Arctic Circle wants to be open during the construction process in hopes of increasing revenue from construction workers.

Construction on The Village on Main Street is expected to take approximately 18 months. If all goes as scheduled, it should open in late summer or early fall 2007.

The Village is expected to include apartments for senior citizens and general-use apartments.

Developers also hope to include retail shops, restaurants, a pharmacy, a hair salon and office space.

cphares@davisclipper.com