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Demolition begins on PEO Library
Mt. Pleasant bids farewell to a flawed but beautiful building
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MT. PLEASANT - The 1927-vintage PEO Library in Mt. Pleasant is finally coming down.
Footage posted to Facebook earlier this week showed workers dismantling the roof and upper masonry on the south side of the structure. It is unknown how long the work will take, but it is expected to carry on at least through December.
Earlier this fall, the Mt. Pleasant Community School District, which acquired the block on which it stands after the closure of Iowa Wesleyan University, voted to demolish the derelict building, citing the prohibitive cost of bringing it up to code. The building sports lead paint and asbestos.The School District awarded the contract to DeCarlo Demolition Company, for a sum of $238,125. Although work was set to begin in Dec. 15th, some preliminary work.seems to have been undertaken as early as this week.
Owing to its proximity to other structures, the School District has taken a slow-and-steady approach in the demolition. At an October meeting, the decision was made to engage in a “methodical” demolition, which posed as little risk to the neighboring buildings as possible.
Many fans of local history are sad to see the building go. It is a fine example of the bygone age of Neoclassical architecture, that is for certain. But, other examples do exist; the Mt. Pleasant Post Office and Henry County Courthouse are both fine contemporaries in good repair. The Saunders School, completed in 1916, hosts the Henry County Heritage Trust. The current Civic Center is a 1931-built high school showcasing Art Deco flair, and housing not just the Town Hall, but a modern library and the Heatilator Auditorium.
Call Marilyn Higgins at 319-368-8895 or email her at marilyn.higgins@southeastiowaunion.com
