A burned out triplex in Nesquehoning that has been at the center of much discussion over the last few years has been demolished.

On Wednesday, crews from Peter Radocha and Sons began work to remove 1, 3 and 5 E. High St. The homes burned approximately six years ago and have sat unsecured and left to the elements and squatters ever since.

Nesquehoning Councilwoman Abbie Guardiani, who spearheaded the movement to fight blight since before she was appointed to council, said Wednesday afternoon that the demolition is “bittersweet,” reminiscing of her childhood and the families that previously lived in the homes when she was growing up.

However, Guardiani said that the structure needed to come down because it was both a safety hazard, as well as an eyesore for the neighboring properties.

“It was so bittersweet to watch it come to this,” she said.

She thanked Radocha for their kindness to the borough, with a quote to remove the three buildings coming in at $42,250.

Two months ago, state fire officials inspected the buildings in the hopes that Nesquehoning could do a controlled burn of the structures to remove them, however, the officials said the structures were actually too unsafe that they couldn’t even be burned down safely.

The borough’s engineer, Arro Engineering, also inspected the property and immediately stressed an emergency demolition was required, posting the property and beginning the process.

An agreement was drawn up with the neighbor to access the site through his property and a settlement was reached with one of the two property owners of the burned out structure.

The second property owner, Richard Emmert, who does not reside in the immediate area, fought the borough every step of the way, and most recently, the borough was back in front of a Carbon County judge to get the homeowner’s fines reinstated for the property. A clerical error, Guardiani said, in the clerk of courts office brought the man’s fines to $200 instead of thousands.

The judge ruled that the fine will be $12,000. This, as well as two-thirds of the cost for the demolition because he owned 3 and 5 E. High St., will be placed as a lien on the property.

Guardiani added that 1 E. High St. was recently posted for sheriff’s sale for not paying $482.12 in taxes. The borough will be contacting the sheriff to update him that the structure has been removed and a lien is being put on the property.

Moving forward, Guardiani said that residents should take note that council is working to fight blight and stressed the importance of caring for your property.