Former M&T Quart Store knocked down

SHENANDOAH – A collapsing eyesore in downtown Shenandoah is no more.

Kass Contracting brought the three story building at Main and Cherry Street down swiftly Monday morning.

The building at 200-202 South Main Street had been showing signs of collapse for well over a year, which prompted a change in the Heritage Day parade route.

Borough Manager Tony Sajone told the Sentinel that Kass was awarded the emergency demolition contract at a cost of $30,000. He said demolition will start within the next few days.

Borough council approved the emergency demolition at their December meeting at the suggestion of Mark Pronio, Code Enforcement Officer. At that time, he said he’d seen bystanders sitting on the porch of the property who, if the building were to collapse, would be seriously injured, if not killed.

The building housed the M&T Quart Store for several years and has been abandoned since that store closed.

It is owned by Edward Spielberger and Glen Paterson, both deceased, and Heather Dehanis, of 9019 Thomas York Boulevard, San Antonio, Texas.

Pronio told the Sentinel Friday evening that the borough and its solicitor is processing a lien against Dehanis.

He said the property had been posted as a dangerous property and she had been sent several letters. Pursuant to borough ordinances, Pronio said they can recoup the cost of demolition, plus 10%.

“She will ultimately be required to reimburse the Borough or the Lien/Judgement will follow her indefinitely and will negatively affect her future financial transactions,” Pronio said. “Code Enforcement can, and when possible will, follow this same process on similar dangerous property issues to protect the public and fight the overwhelming blight in Shenandoah.”

Curiously, the demolition revealed a painted advertisement which likely hasn’t seen the light of day in a century.

The ad touts the sales achievement of a watch brand, noting they’d sold 60 Million. The brand name, however, is illegible.

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Kaylee Lindenmuth

Kaylee Lindenmuth is a Shenandoah native with a passion for journalism and the community she calls home.

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