Lansford Borough Council hopes to use 2023 Community Development Block Grant funds to tear down a towering home on the verge of collapse.

Council President Bruce Markovich said Tuesday council will need to act on using the CDBG funds to demolish 151-151½ W. Ridge St.

Earlier this year, the borough closed a portion of West Snyder Street near Klock’s Hill Road because half of the five-story, double home was buckling and in danger of falling.

The borough has since put up barricades, opened one lane and advised people to travel at their own risk.

Half of the structure remains stable, passing inspection, but the borough must tear down the entire double home, because one side won’t stand without the other side.

Council asked its solicitor last month to contact the owner to see about the feasibility of razing the building.

“I think that should be our first project to use that money,” Markovich said. “If they fall in the meantime, then we will have to do something else down there.”

The borough will also look to use CDBG funds for curbing on Cortright Street between Abbott and Water streets and guard rails at the end of Springgarden, Chestnut and Leisenring streets, Markovich said. Front Street may also be considered.

“I think that would be a good use of that money,” he said, noting that the borough had been turned down for guard rail grants two years ago and the design is done.

The deadline for CDBG is April 17, and the Local Share Account grant, or gaming grant, is coming up in May, Markovich said. He suggested handicapped ramps on the pool side of the park as well as handicapped-accessible rides at the playground there. Fencing on the north side of the park would also be useful, he said.

Pool

The borough will be able to use the remainder of a state Department of Community and Economic Development grant for a new feasibility study to repair the pool, Markovich said.

Council will need to act on requests for proposals for the study to see how much a new study will cost, he said. Markovich also suggested hiring a grant writer to go after grants for a new pool due to environmental requirements and expertise needed.

Brimbles wall

The borough learned from Carbon County officials that no one bid on the Brimbles wall project, Markovich said.

The wall in question is located between Ridge and Snyder streets and is “a mix of stacked stone, concrete and 100 years of patches,” he said.

The county helped the borough come up with funding to fix the wall, but now, no one bid on it, Markovich said.

The borough now has to hope that some contractors will step in the next round of bids in September, he said.

“Hopefully, if they do get somebody to bid on it and they can award a contract for it, that (the contractor) can get it done in the fall before the weather sets up,” Markovich said.

Councilwoman Gwyneth Collevecchio said she feels bad for the woman who came to council seeking their help, and believed they needed to reach out to her and explain what was happening.