BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL (STAFF WRITER)
Published: September 22, 2010
Cleanup of school for deaf affects Marywood’s plans
While Marywood University officials remain undecided on the use of the former Scranton State School for the Deaf property, one thing is certain: The cost for environmental cleanup will be significant.
Members of the state House are now considering selling the property to Marywood for $500,000. Sen. Robert Mellow, D-22, Peckville, inserted the Marywood sale provision into the legislation before the Senate passed it earlier this year.
On Monday, state officials announced the cost of environmental problems, including asbestos and lead paint, and rehabilitating selected buildings is estimated between $25 million and $30 million.
“We certainly know there will be significant costs,” Joseph Garvey, the university’s vice president of business affairs and treasurer, said Tuesday.
Once the Legislature approves the sale, a firm that aides the university in planning will evaluate the best use of the 10-acre Green Ridge property, Mr. Garvey said.
The college’s master plan that was completed last year did not include the property, he added.
The only firm plan is that the property will not be used for student residences, Mr. Garvey said. Marywood also will honor a lease with the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf for use of the property through 2011, he added.
The high remediation costs are a major reason why the state and Marywood agreed on a $500,000 sale price for the property, state officials have said.
Contact the writer: shofius@timesshamrock.com