×

YMCA Discovery building back on chopping block

City Council approved a demolition permit of the Discovery YMCA building at 343 W. Fourth St., but will allow any developer until Sept. 21 before it must be razed.

Developer Herman Logue, the building owner, has 120 days to wait as City Councilwoman Liz Miele tries to find resources to spare the building built in 1923.

Blasting back at Mayor Gabriel J. Campana’s assertion that council was anti-business and obstructionist, Miele said she welcomes any suggestions as to good reuse of the building on the edge of the Historic District.

A week ago, Logue’s business partner, Daniel A. Klingerman, CEO and president of The Liberty Group, said he spoke with Miele and agreed that if another developer can renovate they can have the building without the need to demolish it. Klingerman said he would buy it from Logue and sell it to Miele for $1.

Joseph Gerardi, codes administrator, said that what council did was fine with him.

The caveat on the motion included the 120 days and full access granted to any developer buy the owner.

It is not in the city’s best interest to have the building razed, and will require creative thinking and collaboration, according to Council President Jonathan Williamson.

Miele noted she has received plenty of positive feedback and welcomes more ideas.

Councilman Randall J. Allison used the discussion to counter Campana’s assertion that council remains “anti-development.”

The city is about to see a ground-breaking of the first part of East Third Street/Old City Gateway Redevelopment and the new Lycoming College Gateway Admission building, he said. The redevelopment east of Market Street is a council initiated project.

Williamson joined that sentiment saying lately there has been a lot of name calling.

“I hope we will not model that behavior,” Williamson said. He suggested council continue to do its job, working together, agreeing to disagree, but finding a common purpose to reach solutions that are the best for the city even when that happens without all of the details known.

“That’s what serious adults do,” he said.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today