A familiar sight along Park Avenue West is about to disappear after years of standing unfinished

Editor’s Note: This story was updated to reflect the correct demolition date and additional comments from Josh Bradley.

ONTARIO — The partially constructed church at 1943 Park Avenue West has sat unfinished for more than two decades. Now, it is set for demolition.

Ontario Mayor Josh Bradley announced the demolition Wednesday evening.

Dan and Brenda Niss, who own the property, took the initiative to pursue the demolition, Bradley said.

“It’s the second-most called about property in Ontario,” he said.

Bradley said the couple purchased the unfinished church a couple of years ago and have obtained the necessary permits. The equipment now sits at the property, and Ron Speck will handle the demolition.

“Dan and Brenda took it upon themselves to tear that down for the community,” Bradley said. “I want them to get the recognition they deserve. We’re thankful, myself and the city are thankful for their efforts and improving that.”

A long history on Park Avenue West

The property has drawn attention in Ontario for many years.

Grace Brethren Church purchased the land in 1992 as its membership grew.

Construction began in 2002, but a dispute between the church and contractor Henry Gassaway eventually left the project unfinished. A 2021 Richland Source report described the building as about 60-percent complete at the time.

In 2023, Niss purchased the roughly 43,000-square-foot building and 17-acre property after it had sat unfinished for nearly 15 years.

At the time, Niss said he had no specific plans for the property but wanted contractors to clean it up and repair the building. He also considered the possibility of a technology-driven office space.

Niss and his attorney later sought a zoning change for the property and surrounding parcels. City Council approved the change in August 2023, opening additional development possibilities for the site.

Bradley said the demolition will begin on Friday at 9 a.m., but does not know any plans for what will happen on the site afterward.

“We don’t have anything official as of right now,” Bradley said.

Another Park Avenue Property will be razed

The unfinished church is not the only Park Avenue West property Bradley has targeted for demolition.

In July, city council approved $105,000 to help the Ontario Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) purchase a long-vacant house at 3620 Park Ave. West near Shelby-Ontario Road. 

The CIC proposed to demolish the building and turn the site into a community green space.

Bradley said he began working on that property shortly after taking office in January and has viewed its removal as a key step toward improving pedestrian connections and safety in the area.

“Who would have thought that number one and number two are going to be on a race to come down?”

Now, moving toward demolition, Bradley said he is excited to see progress on the two properties.

“I’m super excited about it,” Bradley said. “Those were two properties that I was focusing on, and I wanted to see down within my term, or something done with [them].”