A $500,000 state grant will be used to demolish the former Summit School building in Nether Providence within the next year and make way for more open space, writes Neil A. Sheehan for the Daily Times.

The bulk of the grant comes from the state’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program, augmented by $75,000 from Delaware County Council.

Nether Providence acquired the property from the Wallingford-Swarthmore School District in 2016 for $925,000. Last year, a study committee determined the building was in such poor shape it should be torn down.

The facility had been used by the Performing Arts Complex of Delaware County and other community-based organizations but they vacated the property because of mold concerns. Nether Providence closed the building on Sept. 21, 2018.

The study committee recommended the development of new athletic fields and a playground; the construction of a community center; and possibly a passive park, bird sanctuary and/or walking trail at the site.

“Right now, the board’s main focus is on the demolition of the building and the basic site work to make the park more accessible to and useable for our residents,” Assistant township Manager Dave Grady said.

Read more about the Summit School demolition here.

[uam_ad id=”62465″]