Jim Thorpe Borough Council voted Thursday night to reallocate grant funds currently earmarked for the demolition of 204 Center Ave. for use on other blighted properties throughout the municipality.

Long considered one of the town’s biggest eyesores, the vacant home was slated to be torn down using part of a combined $300,000 state grant the municipality partnered with Palmerton and Lehighton borough to receive in 2021.

Of that grant, $181,147 was to go toward demolishing 209 First St. in Lehighton, 509-511 Lehigh Ave. in Palmerton and 204 Center Ave. in Jim Thorpe.

The Palmerton and Lehighton structures have since been demolished, but Jim Thorpe did not have enough grant money left to cover post-demolition remediation to the other half of the duplex at 206 Center Ave.

Barry Isett and Associates, the borough’s engineering firm, estimated the cost of remediation to the home, owned by Judy Williams, at a minimum of $55,000. The work includes construction of a masonry foundation wall, relocation of the main electrical panel, installation of temporary shoring and other checklist items.

Earlier this year, the borough asked Williams to, “check into a possible grant or low-interest loan, or submit a plan for a less expensive way of demolishing 204 Center Ave.”

Williams, however, did not think that responsibility should fall in her family’s lap.

“We didn’t do anything wrong,” she said. “The borough says it doesn’t want to take more money from the taxpayers, but I don’t think taxpayers would care. We worked hard and we pay taxes all our lives, but now we’re stuck.”

Borough officials said they didn’t want to put the demolition of 204 Center Ave. out to bid, a costly process in itself, without knowing if the whole project, including the remediation of 206 Center Ave., could be funded.

For years, the borough has unsuccessfully tried to track down the owners of 204 Center Ave., listed as Emma & James Owen Real Estate LLC.

Several years ago, the borough paid over $5,000 for a company to clean up the 204 Center Ave. property, which was done for fire safety reasons. There have also been roofing and other zoning violations at the site.

What’s next?

According to the 2021 grant application, $118,853 was proposed for use on any of five properties in Jim Thorpe listed for reconstruction/rehabilitation. Those properties included 82 E. Third St., 56 West Broadway, 109 North Ave., 112 North Ave., and 209 Center Ave.

While the money for 204 Center Ave. will now be funneled to those other projects, it doesn’t mean that property will be ignored.

“As part of the motion, we’re directing the borough manager to reapply for funds for the demolition of 204 Center Ave. along with the associated necessary restoration to 206 Center Ave. in order to complete that project,” Councilman Jay Miller said.

After the meeting, borough Manager Maureen Sterner said she didn’t yet know exactly what grant the municipality would pursue to try and acquire those funds.

“It’s something we’ll have to research,” she said.