Demolition to begin for courthouse project

CHAMBERSBURG – A contractor is to begin demolition in the first block of North Main Street on Thursday, Dec. 13 to make way for a county judicial center.

Lycoming Supply Inc. of Williamsport has a $1.27 million contract to tear down the Chambersburg Trust building on Memorial Square and two neighboring buildings – the former Lighten Up store and former Wogan's Uniform Center. The area has been fenced off.

Demolition of the one-story Lighten Up building should start around 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday , according to program manager John Hart.

Franklin County Commissioners bought the building in 2014 for $325,000. They have spent about $6 million to acquire properties downtown in preparation for the $67.8 million court improvement project.

The project includes constructing a new administration building on North Second Street where Lycoming Supply is to raze a former Sheetz convenience store, 272 N. Second St.

Commissioners also plan to buy the Elks lodge at 168 Lincoln Way East, then demolish the building and use the lot for 100 parking spaces by late 2019. 

Lycoming Supply is to demolish four buildings piece by piece and install a storm water system on the judicial center lot by Jan. 30.

It has not been determined how the demolitions may impact traffic flow.

The contract to build the judicial center is to be bid in the first quarter of 2019. The center will be built next door to the 1865 courthouse on the square.

Jim Hook  717-262-4759