Published: September 14, 2009 08:52 am      

Demolition work begins at downtown Elks Lodge

JOHNSTOWN — More than a century of fraternal memories came crashing to the pavement Sunday as demolition began on the longtime home of Johnstown’s Elks Lodge.







Crews and equipment from Lycoming Supply Inc. pulled down the Locust Street building’s facade and front section Sunday afternoon, pausing to let traffic and CamTran buses pass.

Two cranes were extended to the structure’s roof and upper floors.

One, located in an alley beside the Elks building, was positioned to secure the western wall from collapsing against the nearby Franklin Street United Methodist Church.

Spectators lined the opposite sidewalk as a second crane’s operator carefully dislodged and removed sections of the structure. Brick and other materials crashing to the street sent clouds of dust through the downtown area.

The Elks building was purchased by the Franklin Street church for additional parking and possible future expansion.

Demolition plans were developed in coordination with the city.

“The goal was to do enough today (Sunday) to do the rest of the work from the parking lot without interrupting traffic on Locust Street,” said Malcolm Snyder, trustees chairman for the church.

Demolition should be completed later this week, but it will take longer to clean up the debris, Snyder said.