Condemned Hotel Sterling caught up in legal battle, despite demolition permit.
Liability issues are holding up an agreement between Luzerne County and CityVest, owner of the condemned Hotel Sterling, to demolish the historic building.
Luzerne County Council and County Manager Robert Lawton agreed in September to spend up to $232,729 on demolition. But before the county releases any funds, the county wants CityVest and the city of Wilkes-Barre to agree to terms on title conveyance and limiting liability exposure.
Wilkes-Barre City Council was set to vote on a Sterling agreement Thursday but removed it from the agenda because the county and CityVest have not agreed to terms. The city has $260,000 from a state grant to spend on a demolition and would be in charge of the demolition, while the county would become owner of the 4-acre Sterling site afterward.
“I am concerned and disappointed the parties are not moving with expediency,” Luzerne County Councilman Rick Williams said, noting the city condemned the building as unsafe and diverted traffic away from it with a detour 14 months ago.
Read more here.
