Northwestern demolition project progressing on schedule

GERMAN TWP.

More than four years after voters approved the money to build new Northwestern Local Schools buildings, the final phase of the project is underway with the demolition of the districts three old structures.

The old Northwestern High School, built in 1975, has already come down at the campus on Troy Road in German Twp. The 1956 middle school was demolished this week and debris will be cleared by the end of March. Demolition of the elementary school, built in 1950, is slated to begin today, weather permitting. That process is expected to be completed by April 10.

Northwestern Superintendent Tony Orr said once the demolition is complete, space will be freed up to replace sports fields and other amenities that were removed during construction of the new elementary and junior/senior high buildings. That construction was completed in August.

The entire project, including the demolition, was budgeted at $51 million. About 45 percent of the cost was picked up by the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

We are certainly on target with our budget, Orr said. We are very pleased with the transformation of our campus.

Eric Ebbs, a 1994 Northwestern graduate who lives next door the schools, said hes also glad to see positive changes. But hes sad to see the schools he attended from second grade on torn down.

A lot of emotions come to mind, he said. Its always good to see changes; it just hurts a little bit to see the old go.

Ebbs hopes the new schools will as long as the old buildings, but hes skeptical.

I dont think theyll last anywhere close to as long as the schools we had here, he said.

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Northwestern demolition project progressing on schedule