Continuing a series of demolition and revitalization projects in Paw Paw today, this house was tore down to expand the courthouse parking area. 

Late last year, a home on the opposite side of this block was torn down and the Courthouse parking lot was expanded. Now, This year, even though they are rebuilding the Marathon gas station, they have demolished the Paw Paw Shopping center to make way for new shopping and residential apartments. Now, we see the demolition of three more homes in the center of town starting with this one on the corner of Berrien and Niles streets and then moving to the two neighboring houses next week.

At what cost? The Shopping center was a community hot spot until its doors closed a few years ago. People shared stories of growing up, buying candy as a kid, Soda and other snacks as teens, Beer and party supplies as young adults and finally groceries as a family. Now, houses are being torn down, family memories are lost and no new babies will ever crawl the hallways of these homes. For What? A few additional parking spots.

What will be next? What history will be forever lost?

Bonus Video: Fly over the new construction in Paw Paw

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