Pocono News Section

Murray Complex Demolition

Murray Complex Demolition - Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 9:28PM EST

Reported by: Mike Trim
Tuesday, Nov 6, 2007 @09:28pm EST
WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY- Demolition is now underway as the wrecking ball swings at the Murray Complex on Courtright Street. The building caught fire last month and part of it was destroyed. Now after years of problems neighbors are happy to see it coming down.

Jerry Matinas from Wilkes-Barre explained, "It's just, a lot of red tape was cut for the safety of the city. Seems like the Mayor is doing a very good job of getting this demolition done and taking care of the city."

Since part of the Murray Complex caught fire last month. It burned for days, and fire investigators still haven't found the cause. Last week the state kicked in 750 thousand dollars in aid to speed up the demolition. Neighbors say it should have been knocked down long ago.

Dave Day of Wilkes-Barre told us, "It's always been a problem, right after they moved out, you know, nobody ever did anything. And there's always bums walking walking around, or homeless trying to get in there."

L.A.G. Wrecking says it wants to finish daily demolition by late afternoon so it can open the road for businesses like Valley Wiping Cloth here on Darling Street. Demolition will start on Darling Street, and then move farther back into the building. Crews won't knock the whole building down, only the burnt out sections.

L.A.G. Wrecking says the city wants it knocked down in 30 days. However Leo Glodzik from L.A.G. Wrecking said, "Hopefully with weather permitting, and our equipment, we should have it down sooner, and maybe we can move on to other parts of the structure."

Either way, knocking down part of this eyesore is a welcome site for many.