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RDA to demolish blighted building at 615 Market Street; council grants permission
Summary
Council authorized demolition of a blighted property at 615 Market Street after the redevelopment authority said it had purchased the parcel, will demolish for health-and-safety reasons and intends to list the awkward lot for sale.
Williamsport City Council voted unanimously May 8 to permit demolition of a blighted building at 615 Market Street after the city’s redevelopment authority said it had acquired the parcel and would remove a collapsing structure for health and safety reasons.
City staff said the building was placed on the city’s blighted property list and transferred to the Redevelopment Authority (RDA). The RDA’s representative, identified in the meeting as Skip, told council the authority purchased the lot and plans to demolish the building “within the next couple of weeks if you so give us permission to do so.” Skip said the parcel is small, surrounded on three sides by church-owned lots and awkward in topography; the RDA intends to list it for sale after demolition.
Finance questions focused on the RDA’s investment and potential recovery. Skip estimated the RDA’s demolition costs at about $120,000 to $125,000. An earlier appraisal, conducted before interior access, put the property value at $23,300, and RDA officials said they will attempt to recoup expenditures through a sale.
Council voted 6-0 to allow the RDA to proceed with demolition. The RDA emphasized the action addresses an immediate health-and-safety hazard; the authority will determine whether a buyer will build on the lot or leave it vacant.
