The abandoned mobile homes at the site of the future Sheetz on Rt. 62 in North Warren won't be an eyesore much longer.
G & R Excavating Demolition from Tyrone has moved equipment to the site in preparation to remove the mobile homes that have been stripped of any valuables by residents before relocating.
Refuse and abandoned household items are scattered throughout the site, which has been cordoned off in preparation of the demolition that may start next week.
Article Photos
Times Observer photo by Ben Klein
Prep work
Workers from G & R Excavating Demolition, Tyrone, are preparing to remove the abandoned mobile homes at the future site of Sheetz in North Warren.
A 10-day post notice was required by the state Department of Envrionmental Protection before the excavator can tear apart the abandoned mobile homes.
Crews arrived at the site on Thursday and have been piling up the garbage in preparation, a G&R employee said.
County Planner Dan Glotz said the county's part in the process is effectively wrapped up. "It went through the zoning hearing board and was approved contingent on approvals from other entities," he said.
According to PennDOT District Press Officer Jim Carroll, the department issued a highway occupancy permit to Sheetz on Aug. 6 for the driveways it plans to install on state routes.
"Highway Occupancy Permits (HOPs) are required for any encroachment on interstate highways, U.S. highways or state highways," Carroll said in an email. "Typically, HOPs are issued to utility companies, municipal authorities, developers and private citizens."
When construction is complete, plans indicate a 6,489-square-foot area with a drive-through, a fueling island with seven "multi-pump dispensers", two driveways on Vine Street, a "right-in, right-out" lane from the southbound lane of Market Street, and a driveway across from the Warren Commons entrance on Jackson Run Road.