Point Park University is preparing to demolish the old Pittsburgh Playhouse at 222 Craft Ave. in Oakland, which closed last summer when the new Playhouse opened on Forbes Avenue, downtown.

Mariann Geyer, vice president of external affairs at Point Park, presented the university’s plans to demolish the playhouse at a meeting of the Oakland Planning and Development Corp. last week.

She told the group that the structure is currently undergoing asbestos abatement and the Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundation has agreed with the assessment that the building is no longer viable.

The demolition is estimated to cost $2.5 million, she said. Point Park plans to sell the lot the cleared lot. The proceeds of the sale will be used to pay off the new playhouse downtown.

Lou Corsaro, Point Park spokesman, said the university has yet to set a target date for the demolition.

See a detailed story in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about the Pittsburgh Playhouse’s history here.

— Susan Jones