Progress

June 25, 2009

The walls come tumbling down

Demolition at former Murray complex under way; nearby condo-commercial project planned.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Demolition began Monday at the former Murray complex between Ross Street and Hazle Avenue.

Robert Sakosky, vice president of Daniel Siniawa & Associates of Dickson City, said he hopes all the dilapidated brick buildings to the right side of Ross Street will be down by the end of the year. The buildings have been deteriorating and the city and residents have expressed safety concerns.

“We are going forward with our project on the other side of Ross Street,” Sakosky said. “Those plans have not changed.”

The estimated $20 million project is multi-dimensional. Sakosky said Siniawa plans to build 55 loft-style condominiums, restaurants and will create 50,000-60,000 square feet of retail space on the site that once housed Murray’s Inn.

Sakosky said Siniawa is offering the Ross Street to Hazle Avenue side of the complex for sale. Once the demolition is completed, the property should attract more interest, he believes.

“If we can’t sell that side, then we will look at developing it ourselves,” Sakosky said. “But we won’t do anything until we complete our first project, where Murray’s Inn was.”

A “for sale” sign on the property will remain up, Sakosky said.

“We really didn’t think it was feasible to do the main project with those deteriorating buildings sitting there,” Sakosky said.

Mayor Tom Leighton said the project is another improvement in the city. City Council approved an application for a $1 million grant from the state Department of Community and Economic Development for the project.

The Luzerne County Redevelopment Authority and the Wilkes-Barre Area School District have already approved the project and provided financial support. The redevelopment authority will loan $2.2 million for the work. The school district, county and the city have approved a tax diversion for the project to help pay off the loan.

The city entered into an agreement for the project with Siniawa 16 L.P. of Dickson City in July. Daniel Siniawa is the principal owner of the firm.

Sakosky has stated that once demolition ends, construction can begin, and he estimated the entire project would take between 14 to 18 months to complete.

The Siniawa group purchased the entire 16-acre complex for $1.5 million from Thomas Murray at a bankruptcy auction in March 2004.

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7218.

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