POINT PLEASANT — It’s a bittersweet scene for many residents of Mason County.

Demolition began Thursday at the Jackson Avenue site that formerly served as home to Point Pleasant high school and more recently the middle school. What once served as a center of education and recreation for local children will soon be an empty lot with many residents wondering what will take its place.

Frank Athey of Mineral Wells purchased the property — 7.159 acres — for $551,250. However, Athey has not announced his plans for the site. Some speculate that a strip mall anchored by a grocery store could be erected at the site.

R.F. Stein of Drop Tine Properties, LLC, and Rick Pearson of Rick Pearson Auction Co. were in charge of selling and disposing of the real estate property.