While one Springdale structure is having some trouble coming down, another — the former Colfax Upper Elementary School building — should be demolished this month.
“The demolition of the original building has already begun,” said Jan Zastawniak, spokeswoman for the Allegheny Valley School District. “The contractor anticipates the entire original building to be down to the foundation within two weeks.”
Zastawniak said once the building is leveled, there are still steps to complete at the site. She said there have been no issues with the demolition.
Crews began demolishing the 100-year-old school in December. After tearing down the east and west wings, crews from Pine-based Kane Specialty Group are finishing the demolition with the original 1925 portion of the school. That section, along Colfax Street, housed classrooms and the gymnasium.
The building was about 64,000 square feet.
Kane was awarded the demolition contract by the school board in October. At $404,000, Kane’s was the lowest of a dozen bids. District officials had budgeted the demolition to cost $1.6 million.
Heavy machinery is being used for the demolition.
Colfax School closed in 2018. Its students were sent to the renovated Acmetonia Elementary School in Harmar. The school district was unsuccessful in attempting to sell the property and, ultimately, approved its demolition in 2022.
Plans for the property haven’t been announced.
Springdale residents can hope that another demolition project in the borough wraps up soon — the boiler house at the former Cheswick Generating Station. About 70% of that structure was pulled down by crews Sunday; they are anticipated to knock down the remaining portion Saturday morning.