Demolition Begins On Monsour Medical Center Eyesore

JEANNETTE (KDKA) -- A massive clawed machine and huge dump truck sit at rest now, but they are the implements that will bring about the destruction of the much-maligned Monsour Medical Center in Westmoreland County.

"It's going to be fantastic to not have this mess right out there," said Robert Domenick, Esq., an attorney and business owner.

Domenick's watched over the last few days as the first of the smaller structures on the 30-acre site were razed.

"It's been a mess and it's just getting worse," he said.

But there's much more demolition to go.

On the Hempfield side of the site, a house and a red brick building will be brought down in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, on the Jeannette side, Mother Nature has already started the wrecking process on one building. Another building on that side will be taken down next week.

State Sen. Kim Ward is leading the charge from Harrisburg to get rid of the Monsour monstrosity.

"It's dangerous. We're getting nothing out of that property right now," said Sen. Ward. "It's a shame that individuals were allowed to walk away from that. Just walk away from it and leave it all in the hands of the people that live around there and the taxpayers."

A request is in from Westmoreland County for $1 million of state money to finally be rid of the derelict building.

The experience has prompted Sen. Ward to sponsor legislation to hold property owners' feet to the fire.

"It's going to increase penalties if you walk away from a property," she said. "It's going to decrease the number of violations you need before you can start being cited."

As for what could go on the site someday, Dominick has a few ideas.

"Any commercial development would be great, and a restaurant I could walk to lunch, get some takeout," he said.

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Westmoreland County