Second Avenue along the south side of the M Building in downtown Minot will be closed today beginning at 6 a.m.

A 140-ton hydraulic truck crane is scheduled to set up in that location where work will be done to remove some large items from the rooftop and seventh floor of the M Building. Items removed from the rooftop will include the window washing platform, cooling tower and roof access hatch. Work will also start on the removal of the three boilers, chillers and incinerator along with other miscellaneous items staged on the seventh floor and removed through the roof access. It is expected the work on the larger items will finish by the end of Wednesday and smaller items or bundles will be removed on Thursday.

The crane will be removed by Thursday afternoon and Second Avenue will be reopened.

A number of companies will be involved in the project.

EPIC Companies, based in Minot and West Fargo, earlier acquired the eight-story, former Midwest Federal Bank building with plans to renovate the landmark into commercial space and apartments. The Big M on the building’s roof will be restored and placed back in its place to remain a landmark for Minot.