Community celebrates demolition

[James]

After a year’s worth of struggle villagers in New Matamoras were celebrating in the streets as a building devastated by fire was finally brought to the ground Saturday morning.

The building, located at 517 Second St., New Matamoras, was ravaged by an arson fire May 1, 2006, and had been sitting next to the village’s heavily trafficked post office waiting to come down.

“It feels good to see it come down finally after all this time,” said Denise Smith, of Second Street, New Matamoras.

Citizens of New Matamoras had been working steadily since the blaze to have the building torn down because it posed a variety of safety hazards.

Problems associated with the site included the possibility of falling onto the roadway or the post office.

“It was a safety hazard. It’s gone and now the community can take one step forward,” said Mayor John Howell.

Smith was one of dozens of local residents who turned out for the hour long demolition of the building which was greeted with a carnival type atmosphere and cheers of appreciation when the last wall came crashing down.

A clown roamed the streets making balloon animals for children, homemade pies were sold and two $50 bills were raffled off as residents celebrated the end of a long, drawn out saga.

T-shirts that read “And the Walls Came Tumbling Down” were also available for residents to commemorate the day.

The building had previously housed an apartment complex, restaurant and the New Matamoras Enterprise newspaper but was empty for several years prior to the blaze.

The building had been owned by Mike and Vince Cunningham, who had prohibited the destruction of the facility until it was purchased by Beavertown resident Bill Ruggieri for $4,715.60 at an auditor’s forfeited land sale June 29.

Now that the building is demolished Ruggieri plans to construct a park on the 56-foot by 51-foot lot.

“The community reaction has been phenomenal. Everybody is behind the park,” Ruggieri said.

Winnie Malone, 65, of New Matamoras, watched the demolition of the building from the comfort of her lawn chair and said she’s excited about the idea of a green space replacing the fire blackened structure.

“I think it’s fantastic they’re tearing it down and putting a park there,” Malone said.

In the three weeks since he purchased the property Ruggieri, along with the citizens committee dedicated to bringing the park to New Matamoras, have made substantial progress on the park.

The committee has been able to find local sponsors for every major item in the park including a memorial wall for veterans and a 15-foot clock donated by the family of Vincent Brown, similar to what graces the Washington County Courthouse.

“We wanted a centerpiece to start the revitalizing of New Matamoras and I hope this (park) is going to be it,” Ruggieri said.

Ruggieri said he hopes to have the park and all its amenities completed within a year. Ruggieri made the decision to pursue the park rather than a commercial structure because he believes the park can become a meeting place for residents.

“I wanted to do something for the community and a commercial building does not benefit the community as much as a park,” Ruggieri said.

John Miller, publicity chair of the park central committee, said he doesn’t want to see the revitalization of New Matamoras end with the completion of the park.

“This is not the end of it. We’re going to improve some other places,” Miller said.