TimesLeader.com

November 2

Scranton businessman buys Holy Cross property

By Shelby Fisk sfisk@scrantonedition.com
Scranton Edition Staff Writer / Photographer

A closed church in Scranton, once targeted for demolition, could be opening its doors again.

Scranton businessman Bob Bolus, former candidate for city mayor and mounting a write-in campaign in November, recently acquired Holy Cross Church at Fifth Avenue and Broadway for $35,000. According to published reports, the diocese consolidated Holy Cross Church with St. Patrick’s parish and closed Holy Cross about three years ago.

City officials deemed the property blighted and during the summer had been considering purchasing it for $50,000 to be razed to develop a parking lot for adjacent Holy Cross Hall, which is used by the Holy Cross Basketball Association that hosts youth basketball leagues.

When it came up for a vote, council decided against the property transfer.

Mayor Chris Doherty said that all of his children have played basketball at the hall. He said that the area is crowded and in desperate need of a parking facility.

“It’s a residential area,” Doherty said. “My fear was that it would catch of fire (because of homeless seeking refuge in the building).”

Demolition, Doherty argued, would have been the best route and would have benefited the area.

“That would have been done paying the money at the taxpayers’ expenses,” Bolus said.

Bolus criticized the mayor and challenges that the property is not blighted.

“It just needs cosmetic repairs,” he said. “We’ve already started (repairs) and we’re on target with cleaning and inspecting the roof.”

Bolus said he plans to look into historically registering the building, but declined to say how he plans to use it.

“I hope (Bolus) can continue to invest, bring it up to code, and make it viable,” Doherty said. “It has to be renovated, which will cost lots of money. It’s a big building.”

As for parking for basketball games, Doherty said there isn’t anywhere else for the city to create a parking lot in the area.

“People will have to continue parking on the street,” Doherty said.

Bolus, however, argues that it’s about more than a parking situation. He said it’s about saving a building.

“I’m preserving the past and the future of the city,” Bolus said. “We’re a distressed city because (Doherty) can’t clean up the mess. Examine blighted buildings and put them back on the tax rolls.”