Council holds hearing on Resolution 2526 to deny demolition permit for 324 North Washington amid safety and economic arguments

Scranton City Council opened a public hearing on Resolution 2526, which would accept the Historic Architectural Review Board’s recommendation and deny a certificate of appropriateness for Fidelity Bank’s request to demolish the Madden Law Office Building at 324 North Washington Avenue.

Several members of the public and business owners spoke in favor of demolition. Joan Hodawanitz said Fidelity’s downtown investment — she cited a $27 million renovation of the Electric City building and an expected 165 employees — will boost tax revenue and street-level activity and that the narrow, deteriorated structure at 324 North Washington cannot be economically repurposed. Dan Santelo, speaking for Fidelity’s management and board, said the company purchased nearby property to relocate its headquarters downtown after a façade partially collapsed and after learning the adjoining building had been in foreclosure with unpaid taxes; he said demolition would clear the block and create roughly eight surface parking spaces for employees and would not include plans for a new structure.

Renato Luango, owner of AES Deli at 326 North Washington, told the council he frequently finds people entering the derelict building overnight, that holes in the rear are large enough for people to enter, and that trash, potential fire risk and pests pose a hazard to adjacent businesses. Alex J. Hazuri, president and CEO of Friendship House and the Advocacy Alliance, described his organization’s $10.6 million downtown investment and said bringing employees and services downtown supports local businesses; he urged the council to allow Fidelity to proceed. Resident Tom Welby echoed support for Fidelity’s work and criticized HARB for procedural delays he said have held up needed façade repairs elsewhere downtown.

Joan Hodawanitz and others noted HARB’s stated concern that demolition could harm walkability and streetscape continuity in the downtown historic district; HARB’s recommendation to deny the certificate is the subject of Resolution 2526. The hearing record contains structural and condemnation reports referenced by Fidelity’s representatives; Fidelity said the adjacent building is a public-safety hazard that needs removal.

No formal council vote on Resolution 2526 was recorded during the hearing. The public hearing was adjourned and council proceeded to its public caucus. The resolution remains pending; the council may take further procedural steps or vote on the measure at a later meeting.