BRODHEADSVILLE -- A building in the Poconos came crashing down Wednesday to make room for new opportunities. It's part of a community revitalization project intended to attract more businesses and people to Brodheadsville.
The old Fins and Fangs pet store in Brodheadsville is now a pile of rubble. The place on Route 209 was torn down Wednesday. Township officials say the demolition is just part of a larger plan to redevelop the area.
It didn't take long for this demolition crew to tear down the pet store in Brodheadsville.
All the work caught the attention of Patrick McGoldrick, who's lived in the Chestnuthill Township for more than 25 years.
"It's been kind of an eyesore for a while, so maybe it's good. Maybe we can get something else in the town and maybe a good business."
Crews started the demolition in the morning, crunching the old wood from inside and crushing the stone walls of the building.
"I hope something nice will go in. It was an eyesore that's for sure," said Janice Bunnell.
Bunnell owns Action Florist and Ritzy Glitzy Jewelry across the road. She hopes with that eyesore gone, good businesses will be attracted.
"If you look up and down the streets, everyone is going out of business, for sale signs, it's just not like it used to be."
A rendering created by township officials shows what could be the future of that area along Route 209 in the village revitalization project.
"It would be nice to see it get spruced up a bit, like they did on (Route) 611, in Stroudsburg."
PennDOT officials say there are also plans to widen the intersection of Routes 209 and 715, add turn lanes, replace traffic signals, and add sidewalks as a way to ease traffic congestion and be more pedestrian friendly.
Work is expected to start next year.