The long-defunct Shamokin Health Spa is now but a memory after its demolition was completed in early December.
Its partial collapse, tear-down and resulting controversy regarding its demolition made news throughout the second half of 2012. And with a lawsuit over the project pending in county court and payment for demolition pending, perhaps to two contractors, the ordeal will continue into 2013.
Two vacant commercial buildings on North Shamokin Street, near Sunbury Street, that once housed the spa partially collapsed in mid-June.
An emergency demolition was begun by Robert Gusick Demolition, but was halted by the city over a dispute over project scope and billing. Both parties are now embroiled in a lawsuit over the matter.
Remaining rubble at the site was piled up and left mostly undisturbed in a section of Shamokin that sees a lot of traffic.
Suspected asbestos was discovered at the site, and federal and state environmental officials demanded debris removal be done in accord with asbestos removal practices.
A second contractor, Madonna Enterprises, was brought in to complete the work and, more than five months after its demolition, the rubble pile is now gone.
Liens were placed on the properties by the city, and last week sale of the properties to the city from tax claims was approved for $1 each.