Pennsylvania’s Keystone Communities program will contribute more than $62,000 to the demolition of the abandoned G.C. Murphy building in Blairsville. The funding through the Department of Community and Economic Development was announced Monday by the state, which will kick in more than $5 million for 42 revitalization projects across the commonwealth.
The $62,808 grant will be added to other funds to demolish the former G.C. Murphy building located in Blairsville Borough. In November, Representative Jim Struzzi announced that the Friends of Blairsville Communities will receive a $56,250 tax credit to apply to the demolition of the crumbling building at the corner of Market and Stewart streets, which has been vacant for decades.
The total cost of the demolition is estimated at about $375,000. After the building is gone, the lot will then be used as a community space and park.
The funding announcement on Monday also included grants for neighboring Armstrong, Clearfield, and Westmoreland counties.
