Wilkes-Barre

Photo credit: Warren Ruda / The Citizens' Voice

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A few months ago a building in the north end of Wilkes-Barre erupted into an inferno because some party goers decided to start a fire to keep warm. It may be one of the best things that ever happened to the neighborhood.

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The building that burned down is just one in a whole complex that in the last century was today's version of an industrial park. The fire scene is being cleaned up thanks in part to Gov. Rendell and W-B juggling some money from federal community development block grants.

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Today's news is that the city now holds the mortgage to the 13-acre property at Courtright and Darling streets and wants to tear down all the buildings. The complex of buildings has been a disaster waiting to happen for a long time. The city has ignored the place for 20 or 30 years despite constant complaints from the neighbors.

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This is just a beginning of of a long legal process to clear up the liens and back taxes. TL: The city is moving forward to foreclose on the property owned by Thomas J. Murray Jr. in an attempt to recoup more than a $1 million in back taxes, liens and fines.

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Congressman Kanjorski was key to getting the mortgage holder to forgive the debt.:

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"I'm glad that I was able to help negotiate a transfer of the Murray-Courtright building's mortgage that benefits the City of Wilkes-Barre and the lender," said Congressman Kanjorski. "The mortgage holder, Grand Pacific Finance Corporation, generously agreed to transfer the mortgage, which has a remaining balance of over $300,000, for no charge. This transfer will significantly benefit Wilkes-Barre, as the city will have more flexibility to clean up the deteriorated building and return it to productive use.

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It sometimes helps that our guy is a senior member of the Banking Committee.

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Correction: Kanjorski is on the Financial Services Committee, not the Banking Committee (it's the Banking Committee on the Senate side).