`turandot' Not Only Joy For Singer

All-state Volleyball Pick Grew Up With Program

By JOLYN RESNICK jolynr@leader.net
 Saturday, January 26, 2002 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 7A 





WILKES-BARRE - Would the century-old McCormick Building on South Washington
Street be worthy of inclusion on the National Registry of Historic Places? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 We'll never know, because Mayor Tom McGroarty razed before the state
Historical and Museum Commission had a chance to investigate. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Coupled with other concerns, the commission has agreed to tour the downtown
area and might contact the federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation
for a review into the demolition of the city's old buildings. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 More than once, the commission told the city it was concerned that
potentially historic buildings would be razed without proper documentation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The Luzerne County Historical Society, the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of
Business and Industry, and the Diamond City Partnership have drafted a letter
to the federal agency requesting a review. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If a review finds the city acted improperly in demolishing historic
structures, it could face fines or other sanctions, said Brent Glass, state
preservation officer and executive director of the commission. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 One rule the city did not follow was to conduct public hearings concerning
potential historic structure it intended to raze, such as the McCormick
Building, which is also known as the Wilcox Building, at 59 S. Washington St.
It was not initially considered part of the downtown theater project. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In July 2000, the commission requested documentation to back the
demolition. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``We are concerned that the City is using public funds to demolish so many
buildings that retain historic character, are economically viable, and are
structurally sound,'' wrote Kurt W. Carr, chief of the division of archaeology
and protection. ``Please provide justification for the need to demolish these
viable and unique buildings.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The city received permission from the commission to raze the International
Ladies Garment Workers Union Building at 37-41 S. Washington St. as well as
other buildings. The commission never got the chance to check whether such an
agreement was required for the McCormick Building. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 On Aug. 16, the commission once again told the city it was concerned about
requests to raze the McCormick Building and the Radnor Building at 61-63 S.
Washington St. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Jean Cutler, director of the commission, wrote that Glass thought the
Radnor Building is ``eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic
Places.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Cutler said the theater project ``will adversely affect the historic and
architectural qualities that make the property eligible'' for inclusion. She
also told the city it ``must follow the procedures outlined'' in the National
Historic Preservation Act of 1966. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Neither the McCormick nor the Radnor buildings were included on theater
site plans in 1999. On Jan. 4, when McGroarty announced the McCormick Building
was to be demolished, he said the city was not in the process of purchasing
the Radnor building. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 McGroarty did not return calls for comment on Friday. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Council Vice Chairman Mike McGinley called McGroarty's actions ``totally
irresponsible. He had fair warning (from the state.)'' McGinley said the mayor
``dropped the ball here. ... I hope he hasn't cost the city a fine.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

W-b Demolitions Draw History Agency's Eye 
The City Had Been Told Of The State's Concern About Destruction Of Potentially
Historic Buildings Without Proper Procedure Being Followed.

W-b Demolitions Draw History Agency's Eye The City Had Been Told Of The State's Concern About Destruction Of Potentially Historic Buildings Without Proper Procedure Being Followed.