Crews with Ray?s Metal Depot began demolition Monday of four houses in the 400 block of East Jackson Avenue near Iola High School.
The first to be demolished was the former Cook house.
The houses were purchased by USD 257 for construction of a new science and technology building, with cafeteria, at the IHS campus.
The science building is part of a $35 million bond issue, approved by voters in April, that also will build a new elementary school near Kentucky and Monroe streets, and replace heating, ventilation and cooling systems at Iola Middle School.
Demolition was expected to be completed by the end of the week or early next week.
Demolition of houses along the 400 block of East Jackson Avenue will continue this week to accommodate construction of a new Iola High School science building.
