Old news updated:
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01/06/2007
Hotel Sterling’s tower almost down
BY DENISE ALLABAUGH
STAFF WRITER
WILKES-BARRE — Most of the historic Hotel Sterling tower has been torn down, and work has begun to demolish the adjoining four-story building.
The tower is down from 14 stories to five. West Market Street from South Franklin to River streets has been closed at night to allow Brandenburg International to complete the demolition. The four-story building is being separated from the adjoining seven-story building, which is being preserved.
Alex Rogers, executive director of CityVest, the non-profit group restoring the hotel, expects the demolition will be complete next month. Marketing will then begin so the site can be used for retail and residential developments, he said.
Rogers was the guest speaker Friday at the Downtown Wilkes-Barre Business Association’s meeting at the Henry Student Center at Wilkes University.
He highlighted the major economic developments completed and under way in the downtown.
“A few years ago, we had very interesting ideas. They were just ideas. Today, we’re seeing flowers blossom throughout the downtown in the form of substantial economic development projects,” Rogers said. “It’s a very exciting place to be and a different city than it was a few years ago.”
Years ago, Rogers said many believed that the Hotel Sterling renovation was an unrealistic project since there was $2 million in back taxes and penalties owed on the property and significant environmental issues. The roof had caved in and it was vacant for years, he recalled.
Thanks to partnerships with the federal, state, county and local government officials, CityVest and Brandenburg International are now “well into the demolition phase,” Rogers said.
Rogers said it has been a challenge for Brandenburg International to try to preserve the seven-story Hotel Sterling while demolishing the adjoining four-story building.
“If you were just to demolish everything, it’s a very straight-forward process,” Rogers said. “We actually have three structures attached so we have to make sure the two are demolished without damaging the corner building we’re saving. It literally requires hand work to create an air space separation from the two buildings. You are now able to see the beginning of the gap.”
In addition to the Hotel Sterling project, Rogers also highlighted CityVest’s success in renovating four single-family homes at South Franklin and Ross streets and plans to create retail developments and loft apartments at two blighted buildings on North Main Street.
CityVest purchased the former Corcoran Printing at 177 N. Main St., the former Mary MacIntosh Laundry building at 165 N. Main St. and two parking lots behind the buildings for $275,000.
The new urban renewal site will be called “The Lofts at North Main Street.” A core mission of CityVest is to encourage more housing developments downtown, Rogers said.
“We’re seeing increasing numbers of people interested in living there and we are seeing multiple housing development projects at various stages of development, which I think will give greater encouragement to retail development,” Rogers said.
dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com