The shuttered YMCA building on Logan Avenue has been closed for more than a year.
The building continues to garner the attention of borough officials concerned about structural repairs even as the “Y” board of directors attempts to sell the structure.
The building closed after last year’s flood. That event followed much of the building being closed off to the public because it was not in compliance with current codes. Even before the flood, the 92-year-old building needed major repairs and renovations to bring it up to code. Funding for such work was not in place and the flood left officials with no choice but to shut it down. Attempts have been made to sell the building, but to date a buyer has not been found.
In July, a decorative cornice at the top of the building fell to the ground. Borough code officer Tom Lang said the incident happened during or shortly after what Lang described as an extensive rainstorm.
Borough officials closed the sidewalk and the surrounding area in front of the building for safety reasons. Since then the “Y” installed a metal fence around the sidewalk and the parking spaces outside the front entrance of the building.
After the July incident, Lang inspected the remaining cornice area and turned up some concerns.
The borough informed the “Y” that a structural engineer needed to inspect the entire facade of the building and supply the borough with a copy of a report and a schedule for repair of any items that needed to be addressed. Lang informed the “Y” that his inspection showed cracked cornices and brick that was missing mortar. The borough was concerned for residents who use the parking lots, street and sidewalk area surrounding the building.
Lang eventually issued a compliance order in October to remove property maintenance violations at the building. The compliance order allowed for a 60-day period for the problems to be fixed.
The borough received a request from YMCA board of directors president Linda Hershey asking for more time to comply with the borough’s order. In a November 23 letter to Hershey, Lang said the borough decided to grant the request to permit the YMCA extra time to complete the sale of the building.
Lang informed Hershey that the borough extended the compliance order until Jan. 12, 2006. He said the borough would not extend the order beyond that date because of the existing safety issues and impending winter weather that could cause further structural deterioration to the building.
Lang noted if the building were sold, the new owner would assume the full responsibility for the repairs. He said the “Y” was required to reveal the compliance order to a new owner.
Lang noted under the borough’s code, it is unlawful to sell a property until the provisions of an order have been complied with by the seller or until the borough received a notarized statement that the new owner had received a copy of the compliance order or violation and accepted full responsibility to make the needed corrections or repairs.
Lang told The Daily Herald this morning he has received no response regarding his Nov. 23 letter granting the extension and informing the “Y” of its responsibilities if the building is sold.
Calls were placed to Hershey and YMCA representative Peter Dutrow, but neither were able to be reached by press time.
