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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Would-be preservationists are wondering what exactly needs to be done to stabilize the Irem Temple building on North Franklin Street, and how much it will cost.</p><p>The Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce sent out a Request For Proposals June 1 to contractors, design professionals and others with appropriate experience and/or knowledge in the mothballing, stabilization and securing of historic buildings.</p><p>Proposals are to be returned to the Chamber by 4 p.m. July 15.</p><p>According to the RFP document, the Irem Temple building was constructed in 1907 and an was addition built in 1931. It was last occupied in 2004, just prior to being purchased by the chamber.</p><p>The RFP notes the building is &#8220;historically and visually significant; it is one of the nation&#8217;s leading examples of Moorish Revival architecture, featuring four minarets, a large dome, colorful terra cotta units and other elements. The building is a contributing structure within the River Street National Historic District.&#8221;</p><p>The RFP also noted there is &#8220;strong sentiment in the community to preserve and/or adapt the building for a new use.&#8221;</p><p>The RFP states the intent of the technical services RFP is to determine:</p><p>&#8226; The specific construction or other activities necessary to stabilize and secure the building so it does not deteriorate significantly in the next five years.</p><p>&#8226; The likely range of construction costs and other professional fees necessary to perform each of those specific activities.</p><p>&#8226; The appropriate priorities of performing those activities and other pertinent information.</p><p>Christian Wielage, CEO of Plan Guru, a business budgeting, forecasting and performance review software company, and owner of Harvey Guitars on Public Square, is leading an effort to raise the necessary funds to repair the Irem Temple.</p><p>Wielage, 36, with residences in White Plains, New York, and Dallas, Pennsylvania, has established the Irem Temple Restoration and Preservation Fund with the Luzerne Foundation.</p><p>Wielage has said the plan for the building is to remove the seats and return the floor to its original flat configuration to allow it to accommodate dinners and performances. He is open to any ideas on how to re-purpose the building to make it a multi-use venue.</p><p>The fund has raised $3,000 to date and Wielage will meet with &#8220;potential large donors&#8221; in the near future.</p><p>In May, Joe Boylan, vice president/economic development of the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has endorsed the fundraising project.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">The Irem Temple building on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre. </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/web1_irem2tljpg-2.jpg</photo0><caption0>The Irem Temple building on North Franklin Street in Wilkes-Barre. </caption0><photoCredit0>Times Leader File Photo </photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Bill O&#8217;Boyle</p><p>boboyle@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Bill O&#8217;Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Anybody want to help restore the Irem Temple building in Wilkes-Barre?