Two properties just to the east of the new Route 903 bridge in Jim Thorpe borough could soon be owned by the municipality.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation currently owns 102 and 103 North St. and has given the borough first dibs on the parcels with construction of the bridge complete.

“This has been something we’ve been anticipating for quite some time,” council Vice President Jay Miller said during a workshop last week. “We’re getting these properties at good prices and I think it’s important we acquire them for the future.”

Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said the state has set the sale prices at $1,500 for 103 North St. and $1,400 for 102 North St.

Thursday’s council meeting agenda will include a resolution authorizing the borough to sign documents related to both properties.

Before PennDOT acquired the properties, 102 North St. was owned by Nicholas Kuzo, while 103 North St. was owned by John Bilsak. The homes were later demolished.

Council said it will have further discussion on how it will use the parcels in the future, but with several residents using one of the lots for parking, it could be in for a battle.

“I’ve already been approached about 102 North St.,” Councilman John McGuire said. “It’s being used as a parking lot by locals, and we’ll have to address that.”

The borough suggested it may use at least one of the parcels as a staging area for any future projects near that location. Another idea pitched last week was to put a bulletin board on one of the lots.

Favorable bids

The second time bidding a Tenth Street stormwater project was a charm for Jim Thorpe Borough.

Council opened bids last week for a project that would include installation of a detention basin to the rear of Memorial Hall, and a permanent drainage swale down the embankment to Germantown Road.

Five bidders submitted paperwork to the borough with Kobalt Construction of Pocono Summit leading the way at $187,400.

“This is substantially less than the bids we received last year,” said Entech engineer Matt Boggs, working on behalf of the borough. “Before the April 12 council meeting, we’ll make sure the references check out and that project would be ready to be awarded.”

Bruce George Paving and Excavating came in next lowest at $214,124.

Two bidders submitted prices for the stormwater work in September, with the lowest coming in at $237,850 from RGC Development of Bath.

According to Boggs, the company actually bid a higher amount this time around.

The borough used PennBid electronic document and bid management system in seeking the most recent bids.