ASHLAND - The new American Legion Bernard J. Dolan Post 434 in Ashland is a work in progress, and if all comes together, the building could be ready by November.
The major construction work has been completed, with cosmetic work inside and landscaping outside still needed to be done.
"We're getting there," said post Commander Harry Hause, who has been looking forward to the rebuilding of the post that was destroyed in a deadly blaze on Jan. 29, 2008, that took the lives of two children and destroyed a home and restaurant on the northwest corner of the 500 block of Centre Street. A neighboring four-story building sustained fire, smoke and water damage.
The post, restaurant and home were demolished and removed, followed by the Legion holding a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2010. The property owner of the land where the home was located donated it to the post, allowing the Legion to use that area. The restaurant property was sold to Ashland Downtown Inc., the borough revitalization organization, which created a mini-park and placed a town clock at the site. The park is completed and was dedicated on Sept. 3.
Hause watched as a backhoe operated by James Buchman excavated under the front porch and spoke of the work being done inside, mostly by members who are volunteering their time.
The post home is completed enough for the members to hold meetings. After the fire, Veterans of Foreign Wars O'Donnell-Martin-Baldino Post 7654 shared its post with the Legion. With the inside painting completed, floor covering will be installed in the near future.