Major demolition for courthouse project to happen this month in Chambersburg

From the outside it may not look like much has been happening, but a lot of interior work has been underway to prepare two historic buildings on North Main Street to be torn down as part of the Franklin County courthouse project. 

Franklin County officials say the demolition phase of the Court Facility Improvement Project is underway and on schedule. Top priorities for this phase include the structural protection of the historic courthouse as well as the proper removal and disposal of hazardous materials from within the century-old Chambersburg Trust building and former Wogan's Uniforms building.

“Thoughtful demolition and hazardous materials abatement plans are essential to preparing the project sites for redevelopment,” said Commissioner Chairman Dave Keller, in a news release. Demolition contractor Lycoming Supply, Inc. presented plans for both in advance of the demolition phase of the Court Facility Improvement Project. 

Once the Chambersburg Trust and Wogan's buildings are torn down, no buildings will stand in the first block of North Main Street. That is, until the new judicial center is built. 

More:Courthouse project: What are your tax dollars actually paying for?

When and how will the old buildings be demolished?

The Chambersburg Trust bank building is slated for exterior demolition in mid-February, and the Wogan's building is to be torn down about a month later. But first, hazardous remediation efforts must be completed to safely remove and dispose of asbestos and lead paint. Demolition dates also depend on the weather. 

As it is located less than 15 feet from the Old Courthouse, which was built in 1865 after the Confederate army burned down Chambersburg, the demolition contractor is under strict orders to work with the utmost care and precision when demolishing the bank building.

The adjacent bank building wall will be pulled away from the courthouse, and chain link fencing will be hung between the structures for extra protection. 

Plywood barriers are currently in place to protect the Old Courthouse windows from debris.

The demolition crew is working to salvage architectural elements from the interior and exterior of the Chambersburg Trust building.

More:Life-size models offer glimpse into Franklin County's new courthouse

Two buildings have already been torn down

Two buildings have already been torn down as part of the project. The former Lighten Up Chambersburg building at 34 N. Main St. came down in December, and the old Sheetz building on North Second Street was torn down in January. Crews have been clearing both sites. 

Structural materials such as wood, metals, concrete, asphalt, brick and block are sorted in piles for recycling.

“The County is recycling as much material as possible. It minimizes the amount of debris sent to the landfill,” said Project Manager John Hart, in a news release. 

What is the Court Facility Improvement Project?

The $67.8 million project includes the construction of a modern judicial center in the first block of North Main Street and an administration building on North Second Street, as well as renovations to the Old Courthouse, Courthouse Annex and a building on North Second Street to house county archives. 

The project addresses long-standing concerns about security, inadequate space and inefficiencies from fragmented county operations. Consolidating operations is expected to save about $400,000 a year for the next 20 years.

Such a project was first proposed years ago, but the economic downturn in 2008 caused it to be set aside. The county took it back up in January 2018. 

More:6 benefits of a Public Opinion digital subscription