This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2006, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
PROVO - The final bell has rung on Joaquin Elementary School. The old Provo School District landmark, deemed unfit to hold classes, was demolished, wall by wall, Thursday, courtesy of a massive backhoe. "There was a touch of sadness - we're talking thousands of kids who have gone through that school," said Greg Hudnall, the district's director of student services. "It was amazing how fast it came down." Built in 1938 for $125,000, Joaquin served as an elementary school for nearly 70 years. It was closed permanently at the end of the 2005 school year. The school district is selling the property at 550 N. 600 East to ArrowStar Construction, which plans to build a student-housing complex. The property is just three blocks south of Brigham Young University. Groundbreaking on the complex isn't slated until January 2007, but district officials were somewhat eager to raze Joaquin because of mounting liability concerns with the vacant building. Hudnall said district administrators received at least one or two complaints every week from neighbors or police concerning trespassing or vandalism. - Todd Hollingshead