Politics & Government

Forks Fears "Cottage in Woods" Decision

Forks Township officials fighting perception over demolishing controversial "Cottage in the Woods."

Forks Township Supervisor John O'Neil hears about it almost every day.

Someone will ask him what is going to happen to the

"I get multiple emails about it," O'Neil said. "People stop me in stores. It's like wildfire, the feedback that we're gonna knock it down."

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For months, the Board of Supervisors has discussed the fate of the "Cottage in the Woods" at 700 Zucksville Road. And with every discussion comes mention about not making a decision.

In a sense, supervisors want to see how this hand plays out.

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Various community groups like the and township's historical society have come forth expressing interest in saving the property and refurbishing it as a meeting house or place to showcase exhibits.

But it might cost $23,000 to save the building, which is filled with mold and in decay with smashed windows and withering walls. Palmer/Forks Patch recently got an the cottage. The cottage has been dormant for the past few years.

Supervisor Robert Egolf, during a recent work session, urged his colleagues "to hold off a little" on making a decision about the cottage, with construction of the public works building currently a priority.

Cornell said momentum is building to save the cottage in regard to fundraising and collaborative efforts to utilize it.

"The public has this fear, though, that we're going to knock it down tomorrow," O'Neil said. "We're not ready to take it down anytime soon."


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