Waterford – Demolition of two of three sections of Cohanzie School should be completed within approximately 10 weeks, according to municipal facility maintenance coordinator Wayne Fraser.

Interior abatement is completed and utilities must now be disconnected, according to Fraser. He explained that the abatement process, overseen by consulting firm Tighe & Bond, required electricity.

The 1972 and 1956 portions of the building are slated for demolition, which should begin in about two weeks after Tighe & Bond applies for demolition permits, according to Fraser. He said further restoration of the site would be necessary following demolition, bringing the total process to about 10 weeks, barring any snags.

The original 1923 portion of the school is still slated to remain on site, and developer Centerplan Companies previously outlined plans to renovate that portion of the school and use it to house a private clubhouse for residents, plus a common space open to the public.

The developer has proposed a market-rate multifamily rental development on the property of the former school. The development is proposed to include four new buildings containing 154 apartments, plus a swimming pool and children's play area.

Fraser said Centerplan has yet to file official plans with the planning department or seek permits or approvals from the town.

Cohanzie School was left vacant in 2008 as part of a building project approved at a 2002 referendum that consolidated the town's five elementary schools into three because of declining enrollment and increased operational costs.

A group of residents started the "Save Cohanzie School" effort in 2013 to save the school from the wrecking ball. Some of the residents said they had attended the school.

Planned demolition on the school property was stalled by increasing cost estimates of demolition for the two newer sections of the 90-year-old school on Dayton Road.

Costs of remediation and demolition were estimated in May 2014 at $850,000. Former Director of Planning and Development Dennis Goderre announced at the beginning of this year that bids for the planned demolition came in at $1.19 million.

The town has been slated to receive two state grants totaling $982,500 for remediation and demolition, offsetting most of the cost.

t.townsend@theday.com

Twitter: @ConnecticuTess