SHAMOKIN - City council is expected to vote Monday on proposals to terminate a pair of lease agreements for the American Legion building and for the Rescue Fire Company museum.
A new 99-year lease agreement would replace the existing one ratified in the 1960s between the American Legion Memorial Corp. and City Hall, removing contingencies that would automatically break the agreement if a subletter were to leave the property.
The city leases the building for $1 annually from the legion group and, in turn, manages the property and its sublease agreements, such as with the public library.
More than $1 million in grant funding is being sought by the city for building upgrades. A new lease was drafted on request by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to ensure the city has firmer control over the premises given the potential investment. The financial arrangement would remain the same.
Steve Bartos, city clerk, said last week that Legion officials had indicated their cooperation with the proposed lease arrangements.
Some basic upgrades were completed last year, including to the building's electrical infrastructure. If the city is successful in obtaining a federal grant, the upgrades would be much more significant: installation of an elevator, restoration of marble walls and staircase, and the addition of handicapped-accessible bathrooms among them.
Three parcels of land were acquired more than 90 years ago to construct the historic landmark in downtown Shamokin. Its cornerstone was laid on Nov. 11, 1922, and the building was dedicated exactly two years later on Armistice Day for World War I.
Fire company museum
As to the Rescue museum, located directly across from the fire station, Bill Milbrand, city councilman, has said that Rescue leaders are on board with the lease termination. It will allow the city to assume control of the building in an effort to repair and reopen the museum.
The building's roof will need repaired, mold removed and a heating system either repaired or installed.
Larry Deklinski, a photographer for The News-Item, has volunteered to take over for John Smith as curator. The city is expected to allocate an annual budget of $500 to operate the museum.
Milbrand said he would speak with Shamokin Fire Bureau officials about creating a museum commission consisting of one representative from all six fire companies, allowing them to protect any assets donated by the individual companies.
Bigger picture
The proposed renovations to both buildings are seen as pieces of a larger "greenway" project centered around the restoration of the Shamokin Creek channel, including the addition of landscaping and walking paths along the creek. Also targeted for upgrades are the "99 steps," the stone staircase located directly across from the Rescue, and Claude Kehler Community Park, where a community garden is in the works.
All of it is reliant upon the approval of several pending grant applications.
In other business
Bartos has requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) release to the city grant funding in order to finalize the settlements on seven flood-damaged homes tabbed for demolition.
FEMA has previously approved $203,120 for the acquisition and demolition of the homes. The settlement offers have not yet been made public.
Homes from 10 to 16 S. Rock St., 44 and 48 S. Rock St. and 606 N. Third St. were all condemned in September 2011. The city has 90 days to tear them down once they're acquired.
R. Craig Rhoades, city councilman, has asked that Bartos seek permission to use the buildings for training exercises by city firefighters, saying such opportunities are rare.