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NANTICOKE —A Nanticoke landmark scheduled to be razed is still standing.
The former L.S. Bowl-A-Rama was purchased by Pasquale Scalleat under the name PS Capital Ventures. Scalleat has told Nanticoke officials several times this year he would have the building razed by the end of May.
Nanticoke solicitor William Finnegan told the Times Leader several weeks ago a time frame was negotiated between all parties that concluded with demolition of the building commencing July 5.
As of Monday, the building still stands, run-down and rotted out, on the corner of Washington and Prospect streets.
According to draft minutes from the July 6 meeting of the Nanticoke City Council, Finnegan said the grass and weeds were cut and open areas on the building secured but demolition had not been done.
The cost of the demolition, according to Finnegan, could cost taxpayers upwards of $250,000.
Finnegan asked that residents realize the council and officials are doing all they can to resolve the issue but because it’s a “big problem, not easily resolved,” it may take time.
In order to have the building demolished, a 10-day notice of demolition and an asbestos abatement form with the Air Quality department at the local Department of Environmental Protection offices must be filed.
Colleen Connolly, community relations coordinator for DEP, confirmed neither have been filed.
If work is done without filing, DEP could take several courses of action, according to Connolly.
“If they do begin work with no notice or forms sent in, DEP could issue a Notice of Violation, we could issue a “stop work order” and we could, at some point after the matter is settled, issue a civil penalty, which could include a fine,” Connolly wrote in an email.
Finnegan said the warrants previously issued were held off but will be reinstated soon if they haven’t been already. Scalleat can be incarcerated if he continually ignores the fines and warrants.
As of Monday, county records show PS Capital Ventures owes $9,361.21 in back taxes for the year 2015 on L.S. Bowl-a-Rama.
Efforts to reach Scalleat or his local attorney, Jonathon Comitz, were unsuccessful.