Demolition could begin as soon as this week on buildings at the site of the proposed Seton Hill University art center in downtown Greensburg.

On Monday, city council and the planning commission approved plans associated with the properties where the 73,000-square-foot center will be at the corner of Harrison Avenue and West Otterman Street.

Equipment is on site and the demolition company is completing minor asbestos removal work, said John Ward, solicitor for the Redevelopment Authority of Westmoreland County.

"Once that's done, I think they're ready to begin," he said of demolition.
Three buildings were acquired by the authority for the center, with two slated for demolition. One of the buildings to be razed housed Finishing Touch Beauty Salon and Vocelli's pizza shop, while the other was home to a state Health Department location.

Ward said closing was held Friday for the salon-pizza building. Owners William and Patricia Dingel received $200,000 for that building, according to records in Westmoreland County Court.

Earlier, Mohammed and Sitara Tanvir got $430,000 for the health department building, and Kerry Raimondo received $115,000 for her duplex at 117-119 W. Otterman St., which the university wants to keep and remodel.

The plans reviewed last night involved Greensburg and its parking authority turning over 26 spaces from the George T. Kearns Parking Lot, also known as P Lot, for the project.

The city is vacating a portion of Red Star Way Alley to the project.

The $21 million center will house the university's theater and music programs. Construction is tabbed to start this spring.