PITTSBURGH — Creaking and cracking filled the air over Mt. Washington’s Grandview Avenue Thursday as an excavator finally roared to life to tear a historic church down.
The former Grandview United Presbyterian Church was damaged by a fire on July 7, years after its congregation dwindled. While a quick demolition was promised, that plan fell apart due to several roadblocks, including a dispute over what time the tear-down would take place and fears that asbestos lingered on the property.
>>> PHOTOS: Smoke billows from church in Pittsburgh <<<
Eventually, all sides grew frustrated, including some of the neighbors who had hesitated about plans to put a nine-story condo tower on the site.
“I’m happy they’re finally demoing it,” Molly Sajjady said. She was one of the many people who called the road closure an inconvenience.
However, Sajjady said she didn’t think an apartment tower was the best use for the site, citing the lack of commercial activity on one of the most iconic roads in Pittsburgh.
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Others said they hoped the developer would account for the lack of parking along the road.
A staff member at the adjacent library said they hoped the demolition would be finished by the end of the weekend so the library, which has been closed since the fire, could reopen to patrons.
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