Demolition of the former Freezer Queen concrete warehouse building on the Outer Harbor is about 80 percent complete, with an environmental brownfield cleanup slated to begin within a month and continue into the spring, according to owner Gerald Buchheit.

Work began in September with asbestos remediation before Total Wrecking Environmental began demolition four weeks ago. At this time, the entire freezer unit itself is already down, along with two-thirds of the old production facility, he said.

“They’re beginning to rubbilize the remains,” said Buchheit, who plans to start construction in the spring on a 23-story apartment tower on the site. Meanwhile, a state court on Nov. 28 will consider a request by four Buffalo residents and Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper for an injunction to stop the work.

The plaintiffs, who claim the city improperly approved the project, are appealing a prior court ruling allowing the demolition and construction to proceed. But Buchheit, who claims most people support his project, warned that he is “on a tight schedule” to get the new building constructed and enclosed by the end of 2017.