Demolition of the Chedester Properties Building in downtown Newton has been completed. The derecho-damaged two-story building at 209 West Second Street North stood fenced off for over five years as the City of Newton attempted to get the building owner, Jeremy Chedester of Chedester Properties LLC of Des Moines, to tear it down. Newton Mayor Evelyn George says she’s definitely happy to see the building gone, but wishes it would have come down a long time ago. Chedester signed a court document in 2023, agreeing to demolish the building at his sole expense by February 2nd of last year. After that date passed, the City of Newton went to court several times, seeking a judge’s order for the demolition. Another such court hearing was scheduled for Tuesday of this week, and the city was prepared to give the judge resident signed petitions requesting a court ordered demolition. But the Des Moines Demolition Company hired by Chedester Properties started tearing down the building the day before, and the project was wrapped up by Thursday.