Marywood to buy deaf school property for $500,000
http://thetimes-tribune.com/marywood-to-buy-deaf-school-property-for-500-000-1.942815Marywood to buy deaf school property for $500,000BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL, STAFF WRITER)Published: August 12, 2010Marywood University may be purchasing the 10-acre campus of the formerScranton State School for the Deaf for $500,000 – $1.5 million less than itsappraised value.The state Senate has passed a bill that authorizes the state to sell theGreen Ridge property to Marywood – language added to the bill by Sen. RobertMellow, D-22, Peckville. It is awaiting approval from the House.Parties say the difference in the sale price and appraisal reflectenvironmental problems, including asbestos and lead paint within the campus’nine buildings.But Rep. Kevin Murphy, D-113, Scranton, said that when the House votes onthe Senate amendments, he will vote against the bill unless Marywoodpurchases the property for market value.The House passed the initial House Bill 2275 in May, but it did not includethe amendment made by Mr. Mellow. The House will vote on the amended billwhen it goes back in session.”We have a responsibility to the taxpayers, especially in these mostdifficult times,” Mr. Murphy said. “It’s not my desire to see it sold foranything less than it’s worth.”Marywood is undecided on the use for the property but has no intentions nowor in the future of using it for student housing. It could house academicprograms or administrative offices, said Joseph Garvey, the university’svice president of business affairs and treasurer.Though the state transferred operation of the Scranton State School for theDeaf to the private Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf last year, thestate remained owner of the property. Deaf students have been educated atthe site for more than 100 years.After the transfer of operation, WPSD renamed the school the Scranton Schoolfor Deaf & Hard-of-Hearing Children and has leased the Green Ridge campus.The deaf school may remain on the campus under the lease through 2012, butMarywood will not continue a lease past then, Mr. Garvey said.WPSD has plans to move its Scranton operations to the Lourdesmont school inSouth Abington Twp., officials have said.The $500,000 price was negotiated between Marywood and the state’sDepartment of General Services and Department of Education.The $2 million appraisal that was sought by the state does not take intoaccount the environmental problems with the buildings on campus – three ofwhich were built in the late 1800s, said Ed Myslewicz, spokesman for thestate’s Department of General Services.The state also will save money because it will no longer be responsible forthe campus’ maintenance, Mr. Myslewicz said.”We think this is a win-win for the state and the community,” he added.Lisa Scullin, Mr. Mellow’s press secretary, said it “makes a lot of sense”to sell the property to Marywood because the campus is adjacent and theuniversity is already a respected member of the community.There were also concerns about what would happen to the property if anunknown outsider bought it, Ms. Scullin said.Marywood is also willing to invest in the grounds and the buildings that are”functionally obsolete,” she added.Rep. Ken Smith, D-112, Dunmore, said he was concerned that if the propertysat unused, it could have a negative effect on the neighborhood and propertyvalues.”We’re in a recession,” Mr. Smith said. “If Marywood doesn’t buy it, whowill?”
