Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Extreme demolition

By CHASE SQUIRES
Published March 8, 2005

The camera crew tapes as demolition begins Tuesday morning at the home of James Dolan.

	The crowd gets a glimpse of Ty Pennington (right), the design team leader from ABC's series "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition."

SEMINOLE - Dozens of spectators lined up for a view of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" star Ty Pennington weren't disappointed Tuesday as he rolled up in time to signal the demolition that kicks off the show's newest project.

Extreme Makeover crews have been at the 99th Way N. home of James Dolan since Sunday, with crews set on razing and rebuilding shooting victim James Dolan's 1960s-era ranch house for an upcoming episode of the popular ABC-TV reality show.

Dolan, 30, was blinded Nov. 18 at the St. Petersburg RadioShack where he worked when a gunman opened fire, killing two others in the store before turning the gun on himself. Dolan was shot in the head.

ABC is working with Lexington Homes to rebuild the home Dolan shares with his wife and three children so it will better accommodate a blind person.

Crowds began gathering behind barricades about 7 a.m. Tuesday, ready for what promised to be one of the most action-packed days in the 7-day process. Hundreds of volunteers, family friends and coworkers surrounded Lexington Homes president Craig Gallagher for a pre-demolition pep rally. Camera crews shot and reshot scenes of cheering volunteers before Pennington rolled up, trademark bullhorn in hand.

Moments later, two backhoes and a front-end loader made quick work of the Dolans' old house, flattening it in in less than 10 minutes. After a foundation of quick-drying concrete sets up overnight, builders plan to start erecting the walls of the Dolans' new five-bedroom home this morning.

[Last modified March 8, 2005, 18:51:12]