COAL TOWNSHIP -- People gathered near Shamokin as a former school was torn down. The former St. Anthony's Parochial School was falling apart, and Coal Township got a grant to demolish it.
People stood along Webster Street in Coal Township and watched a crew tear down the former school. The school near Shamokin was built in 1924. It closed in the mid-1970s and was falling apart.
"I remember the day that the second floor came down," Jonathan Bevan said.
Earlier this year, Governor Tom Wolf announced taxpayer money is available to support revitalization projects across the state. One of those projects was tearing down this building. Coal Township received more than $60,000 to tear down the former school because it is beyond repair.
"Two years ago we got the building. The township had the building. We salvaged what we could. We had an auction. Any money that we made from the auction is going into the project," Paul Keshinskie said.
People who live near the building say it's dangerous.
"I want it to come down because for the kids, it's a really dangerous situation. The kids crawl inside and if the roof comes down on them," Greg Wisgo said.
Wisgo has lived near the old school building for more than 50 years. He constantly sees animals go in and out.
"They're pretty big. I see some big rats coming out of there," Wisgo said.
When it's all said and done, the land will be turned into a park with benches, a gazebo, and flowers.
"People can come up and sit in the area, enjoy the weather," Leshinskie said.
Officials in Coal Township expect the revitalization project to be finished by November.
