MOUNT CARMEL, Pa. — The former W.A. Philips house has been on West Avenue in Mount Carmel since 1906. it used to be the American Legion building, and over the years, it's seen its share of water damage.
Now, the building is getting new life breathed into it.
"This will be a gem. We want to bring it back to its historical integrity," Al Riedell said.
The place will be the site of the Mount Carmel Area Community Center, a project that's been in the works since 2019. Organizers say the center will be a place for people to gather.
"The community center will be open to the entire community."
Work started this week on Phase One of the project, the community room.
"That will be open to special events, theater, promoting the arts within the community," Riedell said.
Once Phase One is finished, the community room can be rented out to the public, providing revenue for future improvements.
Organizers say future renovations will include repairs to the W.A. Philips house.
"This courtyard to the left of the mansion will actually be resurrected into a nice sitting area, a garden space."
The project is being paid for with grant money and community donations. Phase One is expected to be finished this summer. The Mount Carmel Area Community Center is expected to open in about two years.
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