Erie News Now has learned that the demolition bid will be awarded next week to tear down the long vacant historic Girard Hotel.

The hotel was built in the mid to late 1800's at the corner of Main Street and Rice Avenue in Girard.  

The Erie County Land Bank has control of the property after it was condemned by the Girard Borough Council. An engineering study found that the building's interior was heavily damaged by a leaking roof.  There's also asbestos inside that will have to be properly removed.

Barb Wygant a lifelong Girard resident will be sad to see the hotel demolished.  "Absolutely, absolutely," Wygant said, "it's part of the town, part of the history and I'm sorry they did't keep it up."  Wygant having lunch in Girard with friends fondly remembered a class reunion there.

The demolition company awarded the contract, will be expected to demolish the hotel section by section, preserving the bricks.  Some will be sold at Dan Rice Days in August, so that people can have a piece of history. 

According to Borough Manager Rob Stubenbort, the rest of the bricks will be used to make a small grassy park and erect a monument to remember the historic landmark.  "We hope to put a monument there with a plaque describing the hotel and talking about the history of the hotel."  

The demolition contractor will have 45 days to complete the work.  The land will then go back to borough control.

Girard also plans to subdivide a section of the corner property to Penndot.  They will improve the angle of the intersection to make it easier for big trucks to safely turn from Route 20, north onto Route 18, without driving up over the sidewalk.