By the end of the year, a new Lowe's Improvement Center should be operating along Route 443 in Mahoning Township.

To open the Lowe's, the company must first demolish a vacated Wal-Mart building, and then construct the new store. The demolition work could begin any time; maybe even this week.It would have been easy for Lowe's to just come in with heavy equipment and some big trucks and just knock the old Wal-Mart store down and haul it away.Before that happened, someone in Lehighton borough let Lowe's know that it could use the ceiling tiles and bracketing in the store. It also could utilize the bathroom stalls.Lowe's gave the items to the borough free of charge saving Lehighton taxpayers literally several thousand dollars. The ceiling tiles and stalls were removed by the borough work force.The intent is to install them on the second floor of the Engine Company 2 building in Lehighton, which will be used by the Lehighton Police Department, and at the Lehighton Recreation Center.The tiles and stalls were used in Wal-Mart for only about 15 years. They are still in good condition. While a new ceiling and all new bathroom furnishings sound logical for a new police station, the fact is the project is already over-budget, and the savings which includes installation by borough workers is welcome news.The items salvaged would likely have been transported to a landfill somewhere. Instead they're being recycled.Recyling is always a good thing.We're glad Lowe's was receptive to Lehighton's request. It's also great that Lehighton wasn't too proud to go after these usable items.By Ron Gowerrgower@tnonline.com