Demolition underway on unsafe Wellsville building
The condemned structure at 320 Third St. in Wellsville is being slowly and safely taken down. A crew from Kerr and Sons evelopment, LLC, of East Liverpool is working to remove bricks from the building with the lot likely to become a municipal parking area. (Photos by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
The condemned structure at 320 Third St. in Wellsville is being slowly and safely taken down. A crew from Kerr and Sons evelopment, LLC, of East Liverpool is working to remove bricks from the building with the lot likely to become a municipal parking area. (Photos by Kristi R. Garabrandt)
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WELLSVILLE --The long-awaited demolition of a condemned building at 320 Third St, in Wellsville is underway.
Due to its potential of collapsing, the building has been a concern of the village administration and residents. There were also concerns of the building being an eyesore while the village is revitalizing.
The delay in the building being torn down was due to having to seek permission and a release of ownership from the Dan Crow. The building was originally purchased by Jeff Crow, who passed away during the COVID-19 pandemic before he had a chance to do anything with it. Jeff did not have a will, so the building went to his brother, Dan.
Village Solicitor John Gamble took the matter to court to have the building ruled a nuisance due to a possible hazard posed by falling debris. If injury or even death resulted the village would have been accountable. Due to Gamble successfully getting the building declared a nuisance, the village now owns the building and can proceed with tearing it down.
Kevin Kerr of Kerr and Sons Developers, LLC, East Liverpool, is heading up the brick-by-brick demolition. That process will be done until workers get the building to a point where they can safely push it onto itself.
The village administration will pay for the $75,000 cost since attempts to get financial assistance failed.
Two parties have expressed interest in purchasing the lot once the demolition is completed. But the village is likely to retain ownership and create a municipal parking lot.
kgarabrandt@mojonews.com