Schuylkill County Commissioners approved contracts Wednesday to demolish several blighted properties, including a row of three homes on Mahantongo St. in Pottsville.
City officials have promised to knock down 800-802-804 Mahantongo St. by the start of the Yuengling Light Lager Jogger on April 18, when thousands of people are expected to visit Pottsville for the annual event now in its 14th year. Earlier this year, City Council voted to take ownership of the dilapidated structures by eminent domain. That process has been completed.
Mayor Tom Smith said at this month’s council meeting that he misspoke at last month’s session in saying the properties would be torn down by mid-March when, in fact, that’s when the bids were to be submitted to Schuylkill County government.
“It might not be down but we’re praying that it is,” he said.
The next step to demolishing those properties took place on Wednesday when Schuylkill County Commissioners approved a $93,700 contract with Brdaric Excavating Inc., of Luzerne, to complete the work.
This demolition project is funded in part by a grant from the state’s Dept. of Community and Economic Development, according to County officials, and County demolition funds.
In October last year, members of City Council at that time approved their Solicitor, Ed Brennan, to begin the conservatorship process to address these blighted properties. After the new Republican-led administration took office, that plan was abandoned and the City chose to pursue seizing them through eminent domain.
Smith said the new approach takes care of the properties on a faster timeline.
Two contracts were also approved with Affordable Construction & Demo LLC, of Coal Township, to knock down 326-328 Pleasant St. in Minersville for $24,300 and 40 N. Main St. in Mahanoy City for $37,000.
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