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DANVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Centre College is working in a project to move a protected, historical home across campus because of underground contamination and concern about the building's condition.
No date has been set for the move. The bungalow was built in 1935, but has been uninhabited for several years.
Last year, Centre was given permission by the Danville Architectural Heritage Board to raze several other condemned homes adjacent to the property. Centre had concerns about contaminants in the ground below the bungalow and wanted it razed, as well, but the board denied the request.
The contaminants come from underground gas tanks leaking into the ground and seeping northward from a gas station that used to be nearby, making all of the houses along the row uninhabitable.
Centre College spokesman Michael Strysick told The Advocate-Messenger (http://bit.ly/1rpn3hS ) that the school has taken all possible safety precautions during preparations for the move.
Per Kentucky law, the move will take place at midnight to minimize disruption in the downtown area.
Jamey Leahey, Centre's associate vice president of legal affairs and gift planning, said the moving company will be able to place the house on the trailer and have it ready to go before midnight.
"I imagine our students will be taking a study break around midnight," Leahey said.
The distance from the bungalow's current location to its new location isn't far, but traveling at 1 mph, it will take a good hour for the movers to relocate the structure.
"We had to find contractors that have done this before and know what they are doing," said Leahey.
Once the bungalow is moved, Centre plans to use the house for student housing.
Strysick and Leahey declined to say how much the relocation will cost, but said it was well worth the expenditure.
"Given the use that we're going to get out of it long-term, it's a very reasonable cost," said Strysick.
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Information from: The (Danville, Ky.) Advocate-Messenger, http://www.centralkynews.com/amnews
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