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Council approves demolition of 33 East Third Street over lone dissent
Summary
Williamsport council voted 5-1 to allow demolition of 33 East Third Street, a downtown structure opponents called historically and architecturally significant; the developer plans to seed the lot and the bank owner plans to market the corner for sale.
Williamsport City Council on May 8 approved a demolition request for 33 East Third Street by a 5-1 vote amid public concern about the building’s historic character.
Wood Wood Real Estate Development Inc. requested permission to demolish the structure. Company representatives said they contracted with Steinbacher Demolition, completed asbestos abatement and plan to soil-and-seed the lot if no land development plan is advanced. The applicant stated the interior was deteriorated and the exterior showed peeling paint.
Councilmember Meeley said she was “dismayed” to see the demolition request and said the structure was “1 of them” among a handful of Williamsport buildings she considers historically significant. Meeley said she would “be voting no on this tonight.” That was the only recorded no vote; the motion passed 5-1.
Council discussion noted the property is owned by a bank that was recently acquired by Northwest Bank. The applicant said the acquiring bank intends to put the corner parcel up for sale. Councilmembers asked for information about the bank’s timeline and encouraged communication between the bank and the city about redevelopment opportunities.
The developer’s representative said the immediate plan after demolition is to seed the lot as green space; no specific commercial redevelopment plan was presented at the meeting. The council’s approval allows the developer to proceed with demolition subject to the normal permit process and the condition that the site be grassed and seeded within six months unless a land development plan is filed.
