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Developers had expected to demolish 901, 927 and 935 O Street by the end of this year to make room for the $65 million high-rise hotel and housing project known as Block 54. But now contractors likely won’t knock them down until at least March, said Shane Dostal, a senior engineering specialist for the city.

The demolition was scheduled months in advance of construction so geotechnical engineers could analyze the ground beneath the buildings, he said. Instead, they were able to retrieve soil samples from the vacant lot at 921 O, the former home of the Romantix adult store and Gourlay Bros. Piano.

And there was no sense in leveling the buildings -- which had housed Knickerbockers, Hungry Eye Tattoo, Recycled Sounds, Sidetrack Tavern and McCourt’s Ale House -- until closer to the start of construction in the spring, after the frost leaves the ground, he said.

Ninth and O drivers can expect only minor disruption during demolition and construction, Dostal said. Contractors will claim the parking lane along O Street, but none of the traffic lanes should be blocked. And on South Ninth, they’ll take the parking lane and, when needed, the left traffic lane.

The Block 54 project includes two hotels -- a Holiday Inn Express and an unnamed boutique hotel -- and 40 to 50 upscale condos, a restaurant, bar and room for parking. With 15 to 17 floors, it’s projected to be the city’s third tallest building, after the Capitol and U.S. Bank.