Demolition underway at former Evans City Elementary School
The long-planned demolition of the former Evans City Elementary and Middle School is well underway.
Piles of rubble could be seen stacked high this week, as excavators nearby worked to tear down what’s left of the building, located at 345 W. Main St.
The structure has been vacant since it closed in June 2022 with the opening of Ehrman Crest Elementary/Middle School. The 138,000-square-foot building on Main Street was previously used as a school for 84 years.
The Seneca Valley School District officially announced the demolition of the building this past November, saying cost in maintaining the space was a significant factor in the decision.
Evans City Mayor Dean Zinkhann, who taught at the old Evans City school for 32 years, said it’s sad for the community to see such an important building go away.
“It’s very sad for the whole community. A lot of our residents went there over the years. I taught there for 32 years,” Zinkhann said. “But progress needs to be made, I guess.”
Zinkhann said he does not know what is going to end up happening with the land the school currently sits on.
Seneca Valley said in a statement the old Evans City school demolition and future land use is one of multiple projects it is currently has its eyes on, and it plans to retain the property for potential future development.
“We understand that the former Evans City school holds deep meaning for many in the community, and this chapter brings mixed emotions,” the district said. “While the building is being removed, the land remains an important asset for continued growth in the District, and we will be thoughtful about its future use.”
Zinkhann said he has heard many comments from community members in person and online regarding the building’s demolition. He said for a tight-knit community like Evans City, where a lot of our residents were educated there, graduated there, their children and grandchildren went, it’s a shame to see the building go away.
“A lot of good memories there. The amount of people that went there, met there, friends and high school sweethearts, a lot of people went through there,” Zinkhann said.
