Demolition of Big Hollow Primary School expected this week

Big Hollow District 38 officials are hopeful that two abandoned schools finally will meet the wrecking ball Friday morning.

“The contractors have been delayed because of the cold and the snow,” said Big Hollow board President Vickie Gallichio. “We were hoping it would have been done already.”

The vacant buildings at routes 12 and 134 were scheduled to be razed by Dec. 31. Asbestos at Big Hollow Primary and Taveirne Middle schools has been removed.

“It'll be bittersweet when it finally does happen,” Gallichio said.

The demolition of the vacant primary and middle school buildings is to make the property more attractive to potential buyers, Gallichio said.

The two structures on the 12-acre property have been vacant since 2006, when new facilities were constructed about 3 miles away. The new schools were funded by a $29 million referendum.

The district has had trouble selling the land for the $5 million asking price.

Gallichio said the district hopes removing the buildings will entice buyers who won't have to pay for a teardown project on top of the land purchase. Both structures have been condemned.

“It is cheaper for the district to pay for the demolition than if a company pays for it,” she said. “And, so far, all we have heard is that the buildings were the downside as far as selling the property. So, this should help.”