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Demolition begins on abandoned, dilapidated Baden school

BADEN, Pa. — After months of making phone calls and sending messages, a frustrated Beaver County woman got her wish Wednesday when an abandoned, dilapidated building next to her home was demolished.

In August, Channel 11's Vince Sims went to Baden and saw the old Baden School, which Karen Molinaro wanted taken down.

Molinaro said her family was afraid the building may collapse on the house, and it brought down the property value.

"I've been having rats in the house, and I had a snake in my dining room last year. A whole swarm of bats flew through my yard and into the windows of the school," Molinaro said.

Molinaro also said her family was unable to get the proper insurance on the home because of the building.

Demolition on the building began Wednesday on the abandoned school, and neighbors said they're happy to finally see it happening.

"Now, I can fix and remodel my home. It ups the value of my house and makes you feel good living here without an abandoned building next door with rats and snakes," Molinaro said.

Beaver County senior project manager Rocco Bianco said he's been working for two years through federal paperwork to get the demolition done.

"(The owner) felt it was still a good building, but the town engineer said it was dangerous," Bianco said.

The demolition will cost about $23,000, which is being paid with federal money, officials said.

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