Before: (Scroll down to see demolition pictures)

Looking south at the gym that is beyond repair.  You can see through the roof that has caved in, and the gym's hardwood floor is gone - removed and sold many, many years ago.

PROGRESS!  In autumn 2006, we received an enVision Manistee County Solutions grant of $14,500, jointly, from the United Way of Manistee County, and the Manistee County Community Foundation, specifically for the purpose of demolishing the gym and bringing the school building back to its original footprint.  After months of preparation, bidding and selection, the demolition process began on  Saturday, December 9th and ended on Friday, December 15th.  Smalley Construction, of Scottville, MI did the demolition carefully, saving as many bricks as possible, since we will need them to brick up the newly exposed north side of the building.  The pictures below show the demolition process and the final result.

The process begins: The brick veneer was peeled off the previous workday, and piled up for future use. 

After:

December 21, 2006: All wrapped up for weather protection with materials donated by Somsel Lumber in Kaleva, MI, and labor supplied by Buchanan Builders of Manistee, the newly exposed north wall is ready to wait out the winter.  In the spring of 2007, the brickwork will begin, and the north edge of the roof will be completed.

Home                       Bell Tower                       Trees/Bushes                        Roof                     Interior Shot