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Dilapidated North School demolished
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Removal of the building will make way for a new senior-citizen housing complex.
GIRARD — A century-old building that has been an empty eyesore for three decades is no more.
Crews from R.A.A.W. Excavating in Liberty went to work demolishing the old North School building on North Avenue on Monday morning. By late in the afternoon, only the foundation of the three-story brick building could be seen.
David Sierra has lived mere feet from the dilapidated school building for the past two years. He said the building had been a hotbed for derelicts and wayward teens.
“I am happy. It is in the back of our place. We rent, but it has kind of sucked having the building back there,” he said.
Frank and Verna Dando took a final stroll through the building just before the wrecking ball’s arrival. They have lived on North Avenue for more than 20 years and agree that the sturdy building at one time had the potential to be an attractive addition to the neighborhood, but after 30 years of neglect needed to be torn down.
“I have been waiting a long time for this,” said Frank Dando. “Kids have been getting in and out of [the building] and could have gotten hurt. It’s a shame because it is a beautiful building.”
Councilman Tom Seidler stopped by to witness the demolition Monday afternoon. He said the building’s removal was a goal he set upon coming into office.
“When I came into office, I had two eyesores I wanted to get rid of, Loziers store and this building,” he said. “It has been a health hazard.”
The demolition is the first step in a deal struck last year between the city, Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority and Dr. Chandler Kohli, current owner of the property. The end result of the agreement will be a new senior-citizens facility to be placed on the property this year.
The housing authority will now place the senior citizen housing complex with about 40 rental units on one parcel of the property. Kohli would maintain ownership of the rest of the property.
TMHA currently operates an 80-unit facility, Northview Senior Citizen high-rise, also on North Avenue. The new facility will help take some of the demand off the existing facility.
“This began with the beginning of my administration 10 years ago,” said Mayor James Melfi. “This deal not only brings the 40-unit senior center complex but also sees the demolition of a building that has been vacant for 30 years. This has been a goal since the day I took office.”
Melfi said the overall project will cost about $6.5 million. About $5 million of the total cost will be covered by a Housing and Urban Development grant. The remaining cost will be covered by other TMHA funds.
Ground breaking for the new senior-citizens complex will take place later this month, Melfi said.
jgoodwin@vindy.com