Luzerne County Council members discussed a proposed sale of the Wilkes‑Barre train station to Luzerne County, with county officials saying community development funds would be used for the $615,000 purchase.

The county manager, Ramelda Crocomo, told council the tourism department currently leases space in the building and that buying the structure would be “beneficial to Luzerne County.” Crocomo said the building’s historical value makes it “an ideal location for our tourism department.”

Attorney Skeen, who negotiated the potential purchase, said the seller addressed roof repairs identified by the county’s roofer and provided inspection reports and a Phase I study. “Everything that needed to be repaired on the roof … the owner repaired,” Skeen said, adding the repairs were reviewed by the county’s roofer.

Council members pressed for financial and operational details. Mary Roselle of community development said the $615,000 would come from community development accounts and not the general fund. Roselle described those funds as “interest money” and other community development income accumulated over time.

Council members discussed how long it would take to recoup the county’s outlay if the county continued to pay the current rent. Roselle estimated the present rent equates to roughly $2,700 a month; at that pace she calculated a payback period of about 19 years absent other revenue or cost changes. Crocomo said applying current rent savings and possible second‑floor rental income could shorten the payback period.

Council members also raised accessibility and preservation issues. Thornton noted the station was built in 1868 and is on the National Register of Historic Places, which complicates substantial alterations. Skeen said the second floor lacks elevator service and that installing an elevator in a historic building would be constrained; he added it might be possible to obtain grants for elevator work. Skeen said the county could either place county staff who do not require public access on the second floor or lease that space to a private tenant.

Councilors requested continued vetting of financing, grant opportunities for accessibility upgrades and marketing analysis for renting any available space. The discussion did not include a vote on the purchase; Crocomo and Skeen presented the county’s current position and next steps for council consideration.

Council members and staff said they will continue negotiations and follow up with specific financial scenarios and grant‑funding possibilities before asking the council to vote on a final purchase agreement.