Dilapidated Atlas building in Charleroi inspected
CHARLEROI – An engineer inspected the dilapidated Atlas building in Charleroi Wednesday and determined an emergency demolition project isn’t necessary to bring down the structure.
Meanwhile, Mon Valley Signs used a bucket truck to remove loose bricks from a section of the facade that collapsed onto McKean Avenue this week, said James Protin, president of Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce in Charleroi.
“A professional engineer evaluated it today and determined it’s safe enough to wait for them to seek bids over the next 30 days,” Protin said.
Route 88 at Second Street was expected to return to two lanes of travel Wednesday after the loose bricks were removed, he said.
Washington County Redevelopment Authority is overseeing the nearly $100,000 demolition project, using Charleroi’s share of federal community development money for the work.
An engineer also is needed to plan and oversee the project under an agreement the authority reached last week with the state Historical and Museum Commission in a consultation process required because the borough is listed on the National Register of Historic Districts.
Protin said a family whose home abuts the crumbling building was relocated Tuesday to a hotel, and temporary housing was being sought to accommodate them during the demolition work.