Lycoming Mall management just avoids sale with nearly $300K payment
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The management of the Lycoming Mall paid close to $300,000 in past-due water, sewer, late payment and legal fees this week to avoid a sheriff sale that would have happened today as the property owner has another payment due in mid-June and local officials desire seeing the best use of the land and buildings for the region's future.
"Full payment from the mall, including the current April water bill and the sewer bill for May for their account is satisfied," said Christine Weigle, Lycoming County Water and Sewer Authority executive director.
On Wednesday, the authority canceled the sheriff sale list and satisfied the liens against the property in Muncy Township, Weigle said.
"Our objective was to receive payment for their use of the county water and sewer systems," Weigle said, adding how the authority has been in touch with mall management for several months.
The property from a local perspective holds significant value, not so much for its dollar value but for its location and access to interchanges, especially Interstate 180, Weigle noted.
"We are hopeful mall management will consider other options and repurpose it," Weigle said.
When customers choose not to make payments it is unfortunate but delinquencies can result in added fees such as penalties for late payment and legal costs, Weigle said.
"These should not be borne by customers paying those bills," Weigle said.
The authority put Lycoming Mall on the February 2019 sheriff's sale list due to unpaid bills and Kohan Retail Investment Group of Great Neck, New York is owned by Michael Kohan made partial payment to stop the auction process. Numerous calls to Kohan went unreturned.
However, Kohan must make a decision to either sell the property or continue to make payments as the next billing cycle will be at the end of this month and another payment for water and sewer is due June 20, according to Weigle's information.