Connellsville studying emergency demolition of WCVI building

Connellsville city officials were working Thursday to figure out how to plan an emergency demolition of the former WCVI radio station building on East Crawford Avenue.

Connellsville Councilman Greg Ritch and Code Enforcement Officer Tom Currey were at city hall looking at what roadblocks might be in the way of a quick demolition.

Officials could not give a date on when demolition could begin because many issues have to be investigated.

Maybe within 30 days, sooner rather than later, Ritch said. It depends on how many roadblocks (will slow the process.)

The first thing we need to do is get an estimate on how much it will cost to demo the building, then we will know where we stand, Mayor Greg Lincoln said. Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for this demolition because the county sold it to a person who never had any intentions on doing anything with the building. We need help putting pressure on this negligent building owner to take responsibility for this messy situation.

Ritch said before demolition could begin the city would need permission from PennDOT, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Fayette County.

We have to bring that building down sooner rather than later, Ritch said.

Ritch said city officials are going to talk to the Fayette County Commissioners and the Connellsville Redevelopment Authority to seek options to get the building demolished.

Fayette County Commissioner Al Ambrosini felt the building might still be structurally sound.

However, I certainly understand the concern for safety and the need to take the appropriate steps to keep people safe, said Ambrosini, adding it was an appropriate step for the city to determine the cost for the demolition of the building.

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Connellsville studying emergency demolition of WCVI building