House on Wheeler to be Torn Down Tomorrow – Section of Wheeler Ave. To Temporarily Close

Tomorrow, Friday March 28th, the green house at 5-7 Wheeler Ave. will be torn down after the City of Cortland Common Council voted to authorize the demolition of the unsafe property. The house has sat vacant for a number of years. The demolition is part of an effort by the City of Cortland Mayor’s Office and City Codes on getting unsafe properties back to code or face demolition. Work will begin around 7am Friday.

Due to the demolition, a section of Wheeler Ave. will be closed between Homer Ave. and Elizabeth Street. Parents/guardians taking their student to Smith from Homer Ave. are asked to take Evergreen to Elizabeth then Wheeler Ave. The street is expected to be closed for part of the day.

It is an unfortunate end for the house rich in history. Previously owned by Benson and Carrie Wheeler, the street the house is on, Wheeler Ave, is named after. The house also previously served as a boarding home during the Wheeler’s ownership where Grace Brown resided, according to the Cortland County Historical Society. Grace Brown is known for the infamous Gillette murder case.

The cost of the demolition of the house will be levied on the property taxes.