Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services has donated labor, equipment and materials and converted the site of the former City of Pittston pool into a property that is now viable for development.
The city plans to market the property for sale in hopes of finding a developer that will put the property back on the tax rolls.
Michael Lombardo, vice chair of the city’s Redevelopment Authority and former Pittston mayor, had contacted Mericle and asked for its help with the project.
“The site was a huge liability to the city,” he said. “We had numerous problems with vandalism and vagrancy. Mericle’s team did a great job. Everyone is very appreciative. This solves a very big problem for us. This is definitely in the best interest of the taxpayers.”
Pittston Mayor Jason Klush said, “The city appreciates the contribution of labor and equipment from Mericle in removing the long shuttered Cosgrove Park Complex allowing City officials the opportunity to determine a future use for this extremely important parcel of land. The City Administration envisions the property as a potentially valuable addition to the continuing progress of our City’s Downtown Central Business District and the adjacent residential neighborhoods.”
For several weeks in August, Mericle donated the use of several pieces of heavy equipment and the labor of its employees to remove the pool and old basketball court and grade and compact the site. Mericle also removed weeds and overgrowth throughout the property.
The project was done as part of Mericle’s Lend a Hand Program. On Saturday, August 16, several dozen Mericle employees and their families donated their time to put the finishing touches on the site, which included seeding and mulching.
Mericle Senior Vice President Bryan McManus helped coordinate the project. “The Lend a Hand Program is our way of giving back to our local communities,” he said. “Pittston is enjoying a very positive momentum right now. We are proud to help keep the momentum going and we are hopeful that the city will put the site to great use.”
In recent years, Mericle has used its Lend a Hand Program to help revitalize several community parks and athletic fields in the Greater Pittston area. Mericle has donated labor, equipment and materials to upgrade Bryden Park, Oriole Park, the Duryea Little League, the Plains Little League, Spadi Park, and Robert Yaple Memorial Park.
Founded by Robert K. Mericle in 1985, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services has developed more than 19 million square feet of industrial, office and flex space. More than 13,400 people work in the buildings developed by Mericle in Northeastern Pennsylvania.