Holy Cross demolition plans put on hold

SCRANTON – Plans to demolish a former West Scranton church are on hold.

City council on Tuesday took no action on a proposal to transfer Holy Cross Church from the Diocese of Scranton to the city and raze the building to develop a parking lot for Holy Cross Hall.

If approved, the ordinance called for demolition of the structure at Fifth Avenue and Broadway Street to begin within 120 days.

Council members, instead, announced they would research alternative methods to deal with the property just as they prepared for a month-long recess.

On Tuesday, some city residents said they were against demolition and suggested alternative uses for the property be examined if the city intends to acquire it.

Scranton resident and area businessman Bob Bolus said urged council members that the issue should be given more consideration.

“You’re rushing to judgment,” Bolus told council, challenging that the property is not blighted, just in disrepair.

“What if a tile fell off the courthouse? How about city hall? Are we going to consider it blighted and tear it down? I don’t think so,” he said. “You could do anything creative with that building if you wanted to.”

Nancy Bisignani, vice president of the Architectural Heritage Association, said that the property could qualify as a historic property because of its architectural structure. Speaking on behalf of the association, she said “in our group’s opinion…this building (Holy Cross church) is national-register eligible.”

She added that historic properties in the area have been converted in to community centers, basketball courts, libraries, restaurants and apartment complexes.

Councilwoman Sherry Nealon-Fanucci tabled the item, with a second from Councilman Bill Courtright and support from Councilwoman Janet Evans. Councilwoman Judy Gatelli was absent.

Fanucci said, “I actually believe that this building is a beautiful building and certainly do not want to see it be demolished if it is not necessary. We can discuss this over the summer and see if we can come to better alternatives, and better use for the building itself.”

Council president Robert McGoff said he supports demolishing the building to develop a parking lot.

“For four years this church has been closed and the diocese has done nothing to take care of it,” McGoff said, adding that attempts to sell the property also failed.

McGoff said if the ordinance is passed, the city will foot the bill for demolition because “it’s something that the mayor and others felt would benefit the evolving community.

In other business, the final two ordinances ratifying traffic patterns on Mulberry Street were adopted.

The ordinances will limit turning movement for traffic traveling southwest toward Mulberry Street from the 400 block of Hitchcock Court, Costello Court and Mahon Court to right turn movement only and establish a no-parking zone on Mulberry Street for turning lanes at designated intersections between Jefferson Avenue and North Webster Avenue.

In other business, Evans spoke about the recent controversies surrounding the Scranton Single Tax Office. According to published reports, in March of 2008 more than $12 million was found to be unaccounted for. Since then, the tax office has been under investigation.

“The 2008 independent audit apparently has hit some roadblocks caused by the city administration and the Scranton tax office,” Evans said. A memo was sent on July 14 requesting nine pieces information and receipt of the redevelopment authority report, she said. On July 21, the identical memo was sent again requesting the same information.

“Clearly council will not receive the audit prior to its recess despite the constant and commendable efforts of Rossi and company,” she said.

Evans requested a third letter be sent to the Scranton Business Administration office, the redevelopment office and the Scranton Single Tax Office and she said that she would like the complete audit before council’s meeting in September.

Lackawanna County District Attorney Andy Jarbola said there is “no evidence” of any crime.

Instead, he suggested unaccounted money could be due to “incompetence” and “lack of training.”

Jarbola said the FBI, federal treasury office and his office have looked into the Scranton Single Tax Office and the consensus is that there is “no need for further investigation.

McGoff said city hall will remain open during August. Any public concerns can be brought to city hall during office hours, he added.