ST. CLAIRSVILLE, Ohio — A house on East Main Street in St. Clairsville is being torn down this week to make way for a new entrance and parking area to improve access to St. Clairsville Elementary School.
Dr. Walter Skaggs, Superintendent of St. Clairsville-Richland City Schools, confirmed that the district purchased the home several years ago with plans to use the property to alleviate traffic and safety concerns near the elementary school, located on Woodrow Avenue.
“We purchased the house with the anticipation of making that an entrance into a parking area that we’re going to be putting in right beside the elementary,” said Skaggs. “Eventually, it will give us another entrance off Route 40.”
The new access point from East Main Street—also known as U.S. Route 40—will reduce the need for parents and students to cross the busy road when arriving at or leaving the elementary building.
Skaggs said the demolition is expected to be completed “within the next couple days,” followed by excavation and preparation for a gravel parking lot.
The project is still in progress with no firm timeline for when the new entrance and parking lot will officially open, but school officials are moving forward with the work before the start of the new school year.
