Lehighton has partnered with Jim Thorpe and Palmerton boroughs to submit a multi-municipal application to the Department of Community and Economic Development Blight Remediation Program.

Borough council unanimously agreed on Monday to request a blight remediation grant and to designate Jim Thorpe representatives for grant submission and execution.

Council also approved 10% funding commitment letter for grant submission and execution.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett told council the project is for a property at 209 N. First St.

Beckett said she applied for a little over $100,000.

After the meeting, Beckett told a reporter that Jim Thorpe Borough has taken the lead on the project and will be submitting the application on behalf of the three municipalities.

Beckett said the borough has existing civil complaints against three property owners on First Street.

She said the 209 N. First St. property was chosen for the grant application, because this project’s demolition budget was within the maximum amount for the grant to be submitted.

“We had ordered demolition of the blighted property, however if the New York property owner does not take any action, the borough has the right to demolish the property,” Beckett said. “We are continuing to work through the legal processes of this property along with 135-139 N. First St.

The estimate for 135-139 N. First St. was well over the maximum grant budget, so we will continue to work through the legal processes. Borough council has taken a proactive approach to remediate blight in the downtown district.”