Collinsville City Council authorizes demolition of Columbian School Building

The former Columbian School building in Collinsville. (courtesy of Google Earth)

By Ray Popkess

The former Columbian School, an eight-room, 132-year-old schoolhouse built at 801 W. Main St. will be demolished after being deemed unfit to repurpose by council and staff. This decision was made at the Sept. 9 Collinsville City Council meeting. 

The school was built in 1893 and remained in operation as a schoolhouse until the 1970s. The property was then sold to private ownership to serve as office space. 

The city procured the property in 2022 and sent out requests for proposals to occupy the space again 2023. With no proposal coming to fruition, the building fell into a state of disrepair due to vandalism, squatters and Mother Nature. The city has had to tarp the roof many times in the past and an estimated roof restoration would cost somewhere in the ballpark of $60,000.

Hayes Contracting was awarded the bid for demolition and has plans to preserve at least three pallets of bricks taken from the project. There is also a need for state approval in order to test for asbestos abatement and there will be testing for lead paint. 

Details on obtaining a brick from the building for those that are interested have yet to be solidified, but will be released from the city council once a decision has been made. 

The demolition is slated to last 60 days per the agreed upon contract but could potentially stretch into 90 days depending on the test results of the lead and asbestos abatement.