Pocono News Section

Abandoned Buildings

Abandoned Buildings - Thursday, November 20, 2008 at 8:26PM EST

Thursday, Nov 20, 2008 @ 08:26pm EST

Hazleton, Luzerne County -

This burned out building on Broad Street in Center City is an example of what can happen with an abandoned vacant building. Someone got in and set it on fire. The entire block could have been swept away. If it had been secured there would not have been a fire. The city began targeting places like this several months ago.

Fire Chief Don Leshko is leading that effort. He says, “Everyday now we're getting calls from people saying this building is open or that building is open trying to secure them. What we are doing now is going back after property owners to pay a bill for services for sealing the buildings up."

This property is an example of the crackdown's success. It was an eye sore and a danger to this neighborhood. The landlord did the right thing.

Fire Chief Don Leshko continues, "Yeah, I think the message is getting out. People are understanding and are working to take care of the buildings. They are doing their best they can and wish it was quicker. We stay on top of these people."

Ed Gurski has lived here all his life and says the city has changed. He says some landlords just don't have respect for their neighbors. He says, “It's terrible. What could you do? Some people don't care. It's a lot different in the 60's than 2000's. Its a big difference."

Hazleton has issued warnings and in some case fines to problem landlords. Their message is fix up or pay up.