AVALON – The borough council Wednesday, Oct. 25, “ratified” the demolition of the borough’s old school and library building on 26th Street. What made the resolution unusual was the council was asked by the administration to ratify a demolition that had already taken place. The building was gone, the lot on 26th Street was empty and the council was being asked to approve something that de facto had already occurred. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
During the public comment period of the meeting, resident Martha Wright, of 7th Street, asked the council to comment on any plans for the future use of the now empty lot. Wright had asked the same question two weeks prior at the Wednesday, Oct. 11, council meeting.
At that time she, and the public, were informed that Mayor John McCorristin had consulted with the library board and the borough’s historical society, reaching the conclusion that the empty lot would be used for parking, a summer season need in the vehicle-congested borough. The statement, delivered by Business Administrator Scott Wahl, that the lot would be repurposed as parking was clear and unequivocal, although it was acknowledged that the lot may have a future life with some other purpose. For the immediate future, parking was its role.
When Wright asked the question again Oct. 25, the response was different. Assistant Business Administrator James Waldron said, “There are no plans to use the space as a parking lot.” Waldron said the lot may be used for overflow parking during special events. Waldron added that the borough would engage in some landscaping of the empty space that has a 120-foot frontage.
Contact the author, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
