WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — The city of Wilkes-Barre is demolishing several South Franklin Street properties.
The buildings have been vacant for many years.
Work to tear the structures down began Thursday morning.
The properties are located at 440, 442, 444, 446, and 448, 450 South Franklin Street.
City officials say the three double-block homes have sat empty for years.
"The three double-block we had to tear down today, it was decided they were a danger to the public. They are falling down, and they are in bad shape," said Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown.
Now they're just a pile of rubble. Mayor Brown says this is just one piece of the city's bigger picture of cleaning up communities as part of its fight against blight.
"It was a promise I made to the residents of Wilkes-Barre, and we're keeping that promise by continuing to address the streets and the properties around these streets. We want to bring back these neighborhoods so people feel safe."
The city does not own these buildings, so it's unknown what will eventually fill the space, but the city was responsible for paying $79,000 for the demolition.
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