Demolition company explains shark hanging from crane

Editor’s note: This story has been updated with the origin of the shark after speaking with the owner of the demolition company.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – Some may have noticed an inflatable shark hanging from one of the cranes being used in the demolition process of the Realty Building downtown.

A former Realty Tower resident believed that the shark was taken from his apartment as he owns an inflatable shark that looks similar.

Gary Moderalli is the owner of Moderalli Excavating, and he reached out to WKBN Tuesday morning.

The company has been working to safely bring down the Realty Building since July 12.

He said he bought the shark as part of a little friendly competition with another demolition company in the area. Moderalli showed WKBN a receipt from July, showing the purchase of the shark.

It was not taken from inside the building as a previous report mentioned.

The building is now down to the fourth floor in the back area facing International Towers. The front of the structure going north is all the way down to the basement.

Moderalli said he expects the building to be flattened this week, and debris should be hauled out next week.

He also said the building was tougher than they thought, but he and his crew have worked methodically to make sure no other nearby buildings were damaged, and no one was hurt. He said it is the tallest building in Youngstown that has ever been demolished.

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