Demolition

Lehigh University's redevelopment program transcends the planning phase with demolition crews from Geppert Brothers Company of Colmar Pennsylvania razing the homes for University expansion. Resident's often felt bullied and threatened by the demolition companies as they threatened to take down parts of the neighborhood homes while residents were still living there. Former residents remember demolition crews removing concrete steps from homes while people were still inside. They can also remember people measuring dimensions of gates to prepare for them to be taken away. Once houses were condemned and families were evicted, the demolition workers used bulldozers, cranes, and dump trucks to tear down the neighborhood at a rate of five houses per day. Many of the local residents protested the laws by which entire blocks were condemned and the removal of a neighborhood that was a place of great pride.