Abington Township announced today that blasting work will be conducted at 711 Fox Chase Road in Jenkintown, the former site of St. Basil’s Academy Catholic, as part of the installation of underground site utilities starting in early June.

Officials said the blasting will take approximately one month to complete, is not related to the demolition of the existing building, and will take place “sporadically as needed”.

“In accordance with Pennsylvania blasting regulations, a warning signal will be sounded at least one minute, but no more than two minutes, prior to each detonation,” the township said. “The warning will consist of three horn blasts, each lasting approximately five seconds. This signal is intended to alert all personnel on site of the upcoming blast.”

The property’s demolition has been delayed twice.

In May 2023, Toll Brothers, a Fort Washington-based building company, submitted a land development application for the property which called for 150 proposed age-restricted single-family carriage homes, a clubhouse, and a pool.

Toll Brothers paid $9.5 million for the property. For more on how the 24 Sisters living at the Motherhouse in Jenkintown will be affected, you can click here.

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