Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton The former East Street School was before the city’s blighted property committee on Thursday. The owner — and city officials — hope a state grant application will allow the property to be demolished.

The demolition of a long-shuttered school is contingent on the success of a state grant application.

The City of Warren Blighted Property Review Committee discussed the status of the former East Street School — 104 Sixth Ave. — during a Thursday morning meeting. The property is subject of a state grant application through the Warren County commissioner’s office.

Robert Huck, an owner of the property, said asbestos has been removed and that he has an estimate for the cost of demolition.

That cost is projected at $98,860, he said.

Huck told the committee the grant will cover 90 percent of the cost of demolition.

If the grant comes through he said he’s “ready to go. (I) would love to get it moving…. I’m ready to do it as soon as they award the grant.”

Code Official Jessica Bee said she is “not aware of any

pressing safety concerns” that would preclude the committee from delaying action until the grant results are known. She said portions of the slate roof have fallen but noted that Huck has been responsive to address those issues.

Vince DeJoy, the city’s planner, asked what the contingency would be if no grant is awarded.

“(The) only plan I would have (would be to) dismantle it myself board by board,” Huck said, speculating that lumber costs might allow him to recoup the expense of some of his time.

He acknowledged that is an “awful big order to do.”

“I certainly hope the grant is awarded and this happens,” Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz said. “(I) just hope we have a Plan B. I think we might be at Plan B sooner than later.”

“I as much as anyone would like to see it come down,” Huck said. He explained prior plans looked into creating apartments in the building but said state regulations on sprinklers and an elevator when a building has more than two apartments made the idea “not practical.”

The committee delayed action until the grant award is determined.

The school has been closed since at least 1979, which is as far back as current district enrollment data has been collected.