Demolition under way at former May Whitney school in Lake Zurich

Demolition of the old May Whitney Elementary School building in Lake Zurich is under way, and photos and live video of the work are streaming on the school district’s website.

The work being done by the American Demolition Company is ahead of schedule by one day, and started at the back end of the building nearest to Lake Zurich High School.

Lake Zurich Unit District 95 officials expect the project to be finished in about three weeks and will cost about $259,800.

A live feed covering the demolition is projected from the current May Whitney school building next door at 100 Church St., officials said.

“We thought the live stream and photos would be nice,” said Jean Malek, District 95’s director of communications and community relations. “There were a number of residents who expressed an interest in knowing the building was coming down and potentially watching it.”

The former May Whitney school was closed in August 2007 due to asbestos and mold.

On June 8 of this year, parents, children, teachers, and other residents gathered outside the abandoned building for a special ceremony to take photos with its mascot before the demolition.

By June 28, fencing had been installed around the building, abatement permitting and notification had begun, and the relocation of fiber optic cables underneath the building was under way.

Following demolition, the playground near the old school will be redesigned due to its age and equipment.

The building site will be backfilled and seeded, and used for open space.