Spotswood authorizes funds to demolish vacant house on Main Street

SPOTSWOOD–The Borough Council approved a resolution authorizing the municipality to pay for the demolition of a vacant building located at 474 Main St.

Earlier this year in January, the council approved a resolution to purchase the vacant property for $382,671.

Mayor Edward Seely said the house located on the property is condemned, abandoned and covered in vegetation. It sits next to a PNC Bank across from the Spotswood Funeral Home.

“The site work at 474 Main St. began in early November. The house and ancillary structures on the property have been demolished. The lot has been backfilled, graded and stabilized for the winter,” Borough Administrator Dawn McDonald said.

Since purchasing the property, the council and Seely have committed to building a new firehouse at the request of Fire Chief Kevin Meade and residents.

With the plan to transform the property into a new firehouse, McDonald said it is anticipated that funds for the proposed project will be under consideration by the new administration as part of the 2021 capital budget.

The mayor and the council have received correspondence from Center State Engineering recommending pay estimate No. 1 for work performed by JNP Excavating, LLC for a period from Oct. 26 to Nov. 9 for demolishing the vacant house, according to the council.

The council approved the resolution on Dec. 7 during the council meeting via video conference.

Center State Engineering advised that pay estimate No. 1 is for work performed by JNP Excavating, LLC for the 474 Main St. project thru Nov. 9, in the amount of $40,493, according to the council.

The borough entered into a contract with JNP Excavating, LLC on July 29, according to the council.

For more information, visit www.spotswoodboro.com/borough-council.

Contact Vashti Harris at [email protected].