A fire-damaged building that has stood vacant in downtown Pocatello for more than a decade is finally coming down. The Monarch Building at 244 W. Center St. will be demolished this spring or summer after repeated attempts to restore the structure fell through.
Mayor Mark Dahlquist announced Wednesday that the Pocatello Development Authority has hired Eugene, Oregon-based Staton Companies to handle the complex demolition work. The firm specializes in tearing down historic structures in tight urban settings.
“We were pretty picky about what firm we needed to select — one that really specializes in these older buildings and demos,” Dahlquist told reporters. “It’s a very intricate process.”
Decade-Long Struggle to Save Historic Structure
The Monarch Building has been a persistent eyesore since a September 2014 fire destroyed its interior and collapsed the roof. Built in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the structure once contained apartments, retail shops, and the Pegasus Book Store.
Tiffani Wilson and Ali Gorny of Endurance Home Investments purchased the burned-out shell for approximately $10,000 in 2017. The pair proposed converting the building into a boutique hotel and monarch butterfly exhibit. They sold salvaged bricks, organized haunted tours, and gathered community backing, but ultimately could not secure financing for the multimillion-dollar restoration.
Wilson and Gorny eventually donated the property to the Pocatello Development Authority. The PDA issued a request for proposals in 2025, inviting developers to submit redevelopment plans by September. No one responded.
“We’ve tried and tried,” Dahlquist said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t have any takers, and it would just be extremely hard and expensive to try to save that facade.”
Demolition Presents Technical Challenges
Tearing down the several-story brick building will require careful coordination. The Monarch sits between the historic Paris Building on its east side and The First National Bar to the west. Both adjoining structures must be protected during the demolition.
Staton Companies plans to install temporary supports between the buildings. Some of the work will be done manually because of shared walls and the delicate nature of older masonry construction.
Founded in 1971, Staton Companies has completed more than 100 projects annually and employs over 60 professionals. The firm has handled major demolition jobs across the Western United States, including mills, industrial plants, bridges, and what it describes as the largest dam removal project in North American history — the Elwha Dam near Port Angeles, Washington.
What Comes Next
The Pocatello Development Authority is finalizing costs and a timeline with the demolition contractor. Work is expected to begin sometime between late spring and summer. Once the site is cleared, the PDA will determine whether to issue another request for proposals or pursue alternative development options for the vacant lot.
The removal of the Monarch Building will eliminate a public safety concern that has troubled city officials for years as the damaged facade continued to deteriorate. Whether the downtown block will see new construction or remain empty after demolition remains an open question.