Reinhard School Could Come Down in Early Summer

Hellertown's historic Reinhard School and its additions appear to be on a one-way collision course with a wrecking ball.

Borough Manager Cathy Kichline announced at Hellertown Borough Council's March 21 meeting that she had received a draft memo of understanding, which is needed in order to get final clearance for the demolition from the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC).

The next step in the process will involve photographing the school for posterity and providing its deed to PHMC, she said.

After an environmental review is completed, a 15-day public comment period will commence, after which the application will go the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for final approval, Kichline said. 

Based on the current timeline, she told council members the century-old structure's demolition will probably take place in "early summer."

The Reinhard School has been vacant since its last tenant, Second Chance Academy, moved out about 5 years ago.

The building was formerly owned by the Saucon Valley School District, which sold it to the borough for $1 in 2003 with the stipulation that it be used for public purposes.

Parts of the school, including two 1950s additions, were later determined to be contaminated by asbestos, which has since been removed. 

Kichline said the borough has no definitive plans for use of the property once the building is gone.

"At this point, there have been many ideas for the use of ther property, but a definitive plan has not been established," she said.