Published April 06. 2020 02:45PM
A section of an abandoned silk mill collapsed on Saturday in Jim Thorpe.
The Dery silk mill, along East Fifth Street in Jim Thorpe, was built in 1888 by George Dery. It was later occupied by Louis Zales Silk Company and was in operation until 1980.
Alex Spivak Commercial Source Real Estate in Forest Hills, New York, currently owns the property.
Spivak purchased the mill in 2005 with the hopes of redeveloping the land into light industrial uses. After that project fell through, Auburn Station Realty Corporation was granted a variance by the borough Zoning Hearing Board in 2007 to convert the property into residences. The project also failed to get the necessary financing.
Several years ago, Jim Thorpe residents expressed concern at a council meeting over the safety of the building. Residents told council they feared kids were partying at the site.
In December 2018, Jim Thorpe Borough Manager Maureen Sterner said Spivak was working with the borough’s zoning officer to board it up and make it safe.
An aerial photo shows a collapsed portion of the facade at the former Dery silk mill, along East Fifth Street in Jim Thorpe. The Dery silk mill was built in 1888 by George Dery. It was later occupied by Louis Zales Silk Company and was in operation until 1980. A couple of projects have been proposed over the years but financing fell through. Neighbors have expressed concern about kids playing at the site. Borough Manager Maureen Sterner confirmed that part of the building came down Saturday and the building has been deteriorating. She said owners are continuing to work on the property. BOB FORD/TIMES NEWS