Former school to become senior housing

WEST PITTSTON The building at 311-313 Luzerne Avenue is still marked as West Pittston High School, but senior citizens will be able to call it home by the beginning of next year.

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania broke ground on the Old School on Luzerne development project Friday morning. The agency plans to gut the inside of the former school and transform it into an apartment complex for seniors featuring 22 apartments and 24/7 medical care.

West Pittston borough council chairman Jim Rose said the three-story building had been used as a warehouse after the school closed down. When UNC approached the borough about the apartment project, Rose said borough officials welcomed the idea.

They have another apartment complex ... that has been a great asset to the community, he said. Were excited to have this as well. Itll fit nicely in the neighborhood.

UNC CEO Michael Hanley said the former school building fit what UNC looks for in a building to renovate.

Were always looking throughout the northeast for buildings that are solid, have a historical significance for the communities theyre in and can be re-purposed, Hanley said. This was a prime example of one that we thought could really be redone as a neighborhood asset.

Hanley said the complex will offer support services and medical facilities for its age 62 and up residents. He expected to start renting out the units by December of this year.

Crews from Champion Builders of Kingston worked inside the building on Friday. Ralph Melone of Melone Architects said crews have already put in about two months of work on the building, gutting the interior, removing partitions between rooms and replacing the roof.

The building will feature 15 one-bedroom units and seven two-bedroom units. Hanley said the project will cost a total of $6.5 million.

sscinto@timesshamrock.com, @sscintoTT

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Former school to become senior housing