Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Demolition of the old East Street School at 100 W. Third St., Warren, began recently.

Demolition of the former East Street school is expected to be completed this fall.

The property, located at 104 W. Third Ave., was discussed during a meeting of the city’s Blighted Property Review Committee.

Demolition has started in the last week or so.

“This property has been in front of numerous committees throughout the last 20 years for blight,” Scott Taylor, the city’s zoning and ordinance enforcement official, explained.

According to waymarking.com, the school, built in 1895, was closed in the early 1960s.

BPRC member Denise Whipp said that an ownership issue caused some of the delays.

“Once we brought it to the forefront, he did start making progress,” she said.

Taylor told the committee that he met with the owner, Robert Huck.

“He provided some documentation that he has been missing,” he said “Minor demolition has begun on the property.”

Taylor said the goal for full demolition of the structure is fall of this year.

“(We are) openly working with Mr. Huck,” he said. “He has acquired the demolition permit.”

Taylor explained that Huck’s intention is to remove as much of the belltower and chimneys as he can on his own.

“The more he can demolish and remove, it will assist him with the major demolition of the building financial-wise,” he added. “For the last week to 10 days, he has not let us down.”

An email from Huck that Taylor presented at the meeting said Huck intends to take the tower down closer to the roof line.

Randy Rossey, the city’s director of codes and planning, said he would recommend having Huck attend the July committee meeting to provide an update and then return in the fall when the full demolition occurs.

The committee agreed to table action until July.