Going, going, gone. Three houses on Clark St. are now a part of history.

The houses have been razed to make way for construction of the new parking garage which will street from the foot of Liberty St. to near the rear of the Times Observer building.

John Anderson Construction began demolition of the three houses last week and expects to have the debris removed and area backfilled possibly as early as Wednesday.

The area where the houses stood will be used by Perry Construction, general contractor for the parking garage, for construction trailers and storage of construction materials.

Later this week, Anderson said he expects to begin excavation work which will preceed construction of the garage. The almost one-acre site will be excavated to a depth of several feet, said Anderson, and construction will then move into a drilling phase.

The drilling could begin as early as next week.

The garage is a key component of "Impact Warren," replacing the parking lost to new construction related to riverfront reviatalization at the "Island" parking lot. The garage will also provide parking for employees of Northwest Savings new corporate headquarters and a proposed riverfront motel and small convcention center on Clark St. Three new housing projects in downtown Warren will also increase the need for parking.

Spaces in the five-level garage will be leased by the month at a projected rate of $35.

The city of Warren has taken out interim financing of up to $6 million with Northwest Savings to help pay for construction., although the state has promised to pay for the garage.

Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell has earmarked $7.95 million from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for the parking garage and other elements of the Warren's downtown and riverfront revitalization project, but the money is not yet in hand.

The 658-space parking garage is expected to be constructed in less than one year, opening late next summer or early fall.