Cleaning Up Kirwan Heights

Mark Lewis cringes when he drives through Kirwan Heights and looks at the numerous dilapidated and abandoned houses on Route 50.

worries about fires starting in the homes or other problems that associated with vacant structures. He also thinks the neighborhood right off the Interstate 79 exit should showcase to incoming visitors.

“That’s the gateway to the township,” Lewis said.

So he was relieved to learn that Tom Plietz,, is working hard to condemn and demolish buildings that are considered dangerous and, in some cases, have been vacant for nearly 20 years. Two buildings located at 1203 and 1253 Washington Pike near the interstate exit have already been torn down and a third is getting closer to demolition.

“Not only are they eyesores, but they’re infested with rodents and are fire hazards,” Lewis said. “(Razing them) will open it up for a nice-looking environment in Collier Township.”

Plietz said the landlord for at least two homes there, , has been open to the demolitions because it can move forward with other projects at those locations. He added that the homes that are coming down are in deplorable condition and their removal was badly needed.

“It has to meet the criteria for being condemned and torn down,” Plietz said. “Just because it has a broken and chipped paint doesn’t mean it’s uninhabitable.”

He is meeting with the property owner of the third house at 1218 Washington Pike to discuss whether it can be razed immediately.

Like our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter @CharValleyPatch