Downtown demolition work to begin after Labor Day

A demolition project in downtown Harrisburg should begin just after Labor Day, Mayor John McPeek says.

The Harrisburg City Council last month approved a demolition bid to remove commercial structures at 1 E. Poplar St., directly across from the Saline County Courthouse.

McPeek said the multiple empty buildings would be down by Nov. 1. Recently, he told the council that citizens should expect disruptions when the work begins.

"It'll be kind of congested, and I'm sure the roads will be closed," McPeek said.

Earth Services of Benton is doing the work for $165,000. The city purchased the buildings about a year ago, and the plan is to turn them into an open space for use by the community. This could include landscaping, picnic tables and even a mural.

More progress is expected by spring.