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By CHRISTINA DUBITSKY cdubitsky@leader.net
 Wednesday, January 10, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 7A 





WILKES-BARRE - Construction of senior citizen apartments in the vacant St.
John's Church and school building on North Main Street would improve the
neighborhood, according to business owner Chuck Milazzo. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Catholic Social Services and the church are seeking approval from the city
to remodel the building at 419 N. Main St. into 24 one-bedroom apartments for
senior citizens, said Ned Delaney, executive director of Catholic Social
Services. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The first floor of the building housed the church, and the second and third
floors contained classrooms. The church, which merged with the Sacred Heart
Church at 601 N. Main St., closed in August because Sacred Heart has enough
space to host members of both churches. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Catholic Social Services and the church would need a variance to decrease
the area of each apartment from 2,000 square feet, the required minimum, to
562.5 square feet. A variance would also be needed to increase the maximum
number of dwellings permitted from eight to 24. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes-Barre Zoning Administrator Leon Schuster said the Zoning Hearing
Board occasionally receives similar requests. The board is scheduled to hear
the proposal Jan. 24. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``It used to be a bustling neighborhood,'' said Milazzo, who owns Marlino's
Pharmacy on North Main Street. ``I think it would resurrect the area.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I think that would be the best idea,'' said Bobby Pascucci, owner of Oh
Yes! Poultry Market on North Main Street. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney said the building, which was built in 1929, is in good shape.
Construction of the apartments would cost about $3 million. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney said Catholic Social Services and the church will try to raise
funds in 2001 through economic development grants from the Pennsylvania
Housing Finance Agency, the state Department of Economic Development, the city
and county. Construction could begin by 2002. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Scared Heart pastor Monsignor John Sempa said the proposal is in its
infancy. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney said if the apartments are built, they would be the first of their
kind in the neighborhood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``People who have lived in the neighborhood could stay after they sold
their homes,'' Delaney said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Delaney said besides gaining affordable housing, residents could remain
autonomous with help from services of Mercy Hospital, including meals,
assistance with medication, health screenings, social services and
transportation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``I think it's a terrific idea. We need more high rises for the elderly,''
Milazzo said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Christina Dubitsky, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at
829-7236. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 photo cut &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 credit TIMES LEADER/DON CAREY &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bobby Pascucci, owner of Oh Yes! Poultry Market on North Main Street in
Wilkes-Barre, believes the proposed conversion of the vacant St. John's Church
and school into senior citizen apartments would be a positive change. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Apartment Conversion Plan Draws Praise The Former St. John's Church On Wilkes-barre's North Main Street Would Become A Senior Citizens Complex.