The demolition of the Red Lion Hotel has brought out the best and worst in some people.

Greg Payne Construction began demolishing the half-century-old hotel on Coburg Road last week as Denver-based Natural Grocers prepares to break ground on a new store there on April 1.

Noti resident Penny Sabath lost her job as the hotel’s catering sales manager. But that didn’t stop Sabath, who runs a catering business on the side, from catering both a community open house and an employee party at the Red Lion shortly before it closed Jan. 31.

She then worked with the grocery store’s project manager so that about a dozen nonprofit organizations could spend about two hours on Feb. 20 taking what they wanted: Chairs, tables, kitchen items and office supplies went at no cost to Goodwill, St. Vincent de Paul, Womenspace, veterans organizations and other nonprofit agencies.

“The waste was just killing me,” Sabath explained.

Contrast that with a handful of about 15 bargain-hunters who showed up at the Red Lion site on Saturday morning following a news report stating that any remaining hotel furniture was theirs for the taking.

Construction company owner Greg Payne, who was at the site that morning, said there were verbal arguments and “unpleasantness” among some of the furniture seekers. While there were no physical altercations, he said he did see one person kick open a hotel room door as residents sought out free furniture. He said he heard secondhand reports of others doing the same.

The company didn’t call police but ushered residents off the fenced property as quickly as possible.

“You got to draw the line somewhere,” Payne said.

Payne said other bargain-hunters were polite and professional. Payne said he received a hug from an older lady who was able to take home an older television set.

The problems arose after Payne’s wife, Brenda, the company’s office manager, responded to a question posed by a local television reporter.

Brenda Payne said she was asked whether the public would be able to come in and take away some of the items that the nonprofit groups passed on. She said she responded that they’d like to do something like that, but offered no specifics.

The TV station’s story, reporting that the construction company was looking for people to take home the remaining old furniture, was

Brenda Payne said the office phone started ringing 10 minutes later.

Adding to the interest, someone — Brenda Payne doesn’t know who — posted the same information on Craigslist with the company’s name and phone number.

“Our phone has been ringing nonstop,” she said.

Brenda Payne said she’s inquired with Natural Grocers about organizing a future public availability for any remaining furniture, as the construction company doesn’t have the time or manpower to do so.

In addition, Sabath said she’d like to arrange a second visit for the nonprofit organizations.

The limited furniture still visible on the property Monday included numerous large armoires and a few nightstands.

Greg Payne and his crew already have demolished the hotel lobby, banquet hall, offices and kitchen.

The company will recycle all the metals.

The concrete and rubble will head to Delta Sand & Gravel. The carpet, sheetrock, ceiling tiles and wood will go to Eugene-based EcoSort, which will pick out any recyclable items from the waste.

Greg Payne said his company has taken away a lot of Eugene’s history in its 37 years. It demolished Santa Clara Elementary School — which he, his wife and their two children attended — in 2006 and also razed portions of Oakway Center to make way for its redevelopment.

He recalled that his family ate Easter brunch at the Red Lion on several occasions.

But Greg Payne doesn’t get all that sentimental about the buildings lost as a result of his work.

“It’s the way things progress,” he said.

Follow Christian on Twitter @RGchill. Email christian.hill@registerguard.com.