Demolition of Nuisance Building Brings Relief, Frustration to W-B Neighborhood

Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County -- A Brdaric Excavating crew showed up Thursday morning in Wilkes-Barre to begin demolishing what once was a nine unit apartment building on North Welles Street. As workers used heavy equipment to dismantle the mostly brick and wood structure, a sense of relief came to many neighbors. "It's a good thing because there's people living there, because of the fire," said Rev. Anthony Vieney of Wilkes-Barre.

Fire swept through the apartment building last November making it uninhabitable. It was eventually boarded up but that didn't seem to stop intruders. "Every once in awhile, I noticed that there was plywood taken down. People were trying to make entry, possible squatters," said Jim Post who lives just down the street from the building.

The demolition should be a relief to every neighbor including Noel Miller who lives next door. He described the decision to take down the building as "very good." But what he said was far from good is what was being done to spare him any property damage during the demolition. Mr. Miller voiced his concern on scene to city officials and our camera. "He's definitely going to damage the roof the same way he damaged the back one."

Mr. Miller said demolition debris already damaged his shed and fence because a protective tarp wasn't secured. "If it was anchored, my property wouldn't be damaged." City leaders say the protection is sufficient for a demolition that is necessary. "My concern is getting the building down safely and cleaning the site and returning it back to the city asset," said Wilkes-Barre Assistant Director of Operations Mike Simonson. The entire neighborhood seems to be in agreement with that. "I think it will be nice to have it gone and have something put there so there's something productive in the neighborhood," said Rev. Vieney while Mr. Post added, "Just a parking lot would be better than what it is right now."

The entire demolition should be completed Friday while removal of the debris is expected to take a few weeks. The city stresses that Brdaric Excavating is responsible for any damages caused during the project.

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Demolition of Nuisance Building Brings Relief, Frustration to W-B Neighborhood