Bellefonte council tables Beaver Farmhouse demolition after hours of public comment
November 04, 2025 | Bellefonte, Centre County, Pennsylvania
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Bellefonte Borough Council voted to table a proposed demolition of the Beaver Farmhouse at 1002 Airport Road after a sustained public-comment period and argument from the Bellefonte Area School District that the structure cannot be repurposed to meet current education and ADA specifications.
The request to remove the farmhouse was presented by district officials as a health, safety and operational matter tied to new athletic-field grading and stormwater changes. Tom Landon, the district's director of physical plant, told the council that attempting to convert the building would be “irresponsible to the taxpayers of the Bellefonte Area Schools” because it would not meet educational specifications and ADA requirements and would be “extremely cost prohibitive.” Board President John Guzzard said the district had considered alternatives for nearly two decades but had not found a viable path to reuse the structure.
Residents and preservation advocates urged a different approach. Sadie Belsky, a Penn State architecture student, argued the farmhouse is a teachable resource and urged the council to seek adaptive reuse and preservation options rather than demolition: “This farmhouse could inspire future students,” she said. Joseph Griffin, president of the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association, described the house as a rare, pre–Civil War structure that holds local memory and asked the council to “look hard for an alternative solution.” Several other speakers offered examples of potential partnerships, fundraising and temporary stabilization efforts.
Council members acknowledged both the preservation value and the district’s programmatic and safety concerns. After discussion, a motion to table the demolition and seek more information from both the school district and community advocates passed 8–1. The council asked staff to gather technical, financial and liability information and to return with options at a future meeting so members could make an informed decision.
The tabling vote pauses any immediate demolition but does not approve preservation; rather, it directs borough staff to report back with research and possible next steps.
The request to remove the farmhouse was presented by district officials as a health, safety and operational matter tied to new athletic-field grading and stormwater changes. Tom Landon, the district's director of physical plant, told the council that attempting to convert the building would be “irresponsible to the taxpayers of the Bellefonte Area Schools” because it would not meet educational specifications and ADA requirements and would be “extremely cost prohibitive.” Board President John Guzzard said the district had considered alternatives for nearly two decades but had not found a viable path to reuse the structure.
Residents and preservation advocates urged a different approach. Sadie Belsky, a Penn State architecture student, argued the farmhouse is a teachable resource and urged the council to seek adaptive reuse and preservation options rather than demolition: “This farmhouse could inspire future students,” she said. Joseph Griffin, president of the Bellefonte Historical and Cultural Association, described the house as a rare, pre–Civil War structure that holds local memory and asked the council to “look hard for an alternative solution.” Several other speakers offered examples of potential partnerships, fundraising and temporary stabilization efforts.
Council members acknowledged both the preservation value and the district’s programmatic and safety concerns. After discussion, a motion to table the demolition and seek more information from both the school district and community advocates passed 8–1. The council asked staff to gather technical, financial and liability information and to return with options at a future meeting so members could make an informed decision.
The tabling vote pauses any immediate demolition but does not approve preservation; rather, it directs borough staff to report back with research and possible next steps.
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