Demolition begins on Jewett School

EVANSDALE | A backhoe dug into the former Jewett Elementary Schools east wing Tuesday as workers began demolishing portions of the building.

Both the east and west wings, along Collins Avenue, are being demolished by Rod Frickson Backhoe & Trucking of Evansdale. A central area of the building that stretches to the south toward Brookside Drive will remain.

It is the first phase of demolition, said Mary Kettwig, president of the Evansdale Economic Development Corp. The nonprofit organization bought the building from the Waterloo Community Schools in 2010 for its Community Life Center.

Future demolition would include the buildings south wing. A few of the classrooms and the gym will be left, said Kettwig, after that work is done. The center will include meeting rooms and a refurbished gym.

Right now, Evansdale doesnt have a community center, a senior center, said Kettwig.

A small group of people gathered as demolition got started, most of who are connected to the EEDC.

Its been a long time coming, and its a big sense of accomplishment, said Bonnie Happel, who is on the organizations board, and was a student at the school for one year when it went through eighth grade.

I never went to school here, so Im not so emotionally invested, said Dottie Wear, another board member. Its just good to see progress. This has been on the drawing board so long.

Sherri Mastin went to elementary school at Jewett, starting with kindergarten in 1975. The Tampa, Fla., woman happened to be in town visiting family as demolition started and came down to watch and take pictures.

I guess its kind of surreal, because Ive heard its going to happen for so long, she said. I guess kind of the end of an era.

Continue reading here:
Demolition begins on Jewett School