Demolition of 2 Penn Street buildings nears completion
The demolition of two Reading-owned buildings on Penn Street was winding down Friday.
Emergency demolition of the structurally compromised buildings at 431 and 433 Penn St. began May 15.
Based on structural assessments, the city said, it was determined both buildings posed an imminent risk to public safety, leaving demolition as the only responsible option.
Only the façade of the 1912 Beaux Arts-style structure at 431 Penn was considered historic. Originally part of the former Reading News building at 22-24 N. Fifth St., it was transplanted piece by piece to its current location in 1981 as part of the former American Bank $6 million Keystone Project.
No parts of 433 Penn could be salvaged because of severe deterioration, officials said.
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