INNOVATION: Scranton-based developer invests millions into Wilkes-Barre
Apr. 27—Buildings talk.
Well, to John Basalyga they do.
The Scranton-based developer, who recently invested millions of dollars into Wilkes-Barre, believes that the buildings he takes on speak for themselves. All he has to do is listen.
"It might sound weird or whatever, but I let the building tell me what it needs to be. I'll go out, I'll spend time in front of it, I'll walk through, and I'll get a good feeling for it," he explained.
Basalyga is in the process of redeveloping the former First National Bank Building on Public Square. He also purchased both the Fredrick and Mary Stegmaier Mansions late last year, the latter of which is gearing up to open with a new restaurant sometime in May.
All three structures, built in the early 20th century, are architecture marvels and preserving that history was something Basalyga was especially passionate about.
"You simply cannot afford to build the way that they used to build," he said. "It's incredible. The craftsmanship is always great. I mean, I fixed things that people begged me to rip down."
Although several renovations have taken place at the Mary Stegmaier Mansion since he purchased it, Basalyga was adamant about keeping the look and feel of the area's past alive within its walls.
"You're gonna walk in there and it's like you're going into a time capsule, and that's exactly what I want," he said.
Basalyga's projects, as well as others, including the Sterling Hotel site project, will no doubt bring value to the city.
While many business owners and residents are still recovering from the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, Basalyga said reinvigorating the downtown area is key to moving NEPA in the right direction again, both culturally and economically.
"Phase one is getting people to live downtown again," he explained. "Phase two is little stores open up. Then, if phase one and phase two are successful, phase three will start getting anchor tenants downtown."
Along with increasing foot traffic, taking care of buildings that people care about is equally important.
"When you take an old building that used to have life and you re-inject life into it, people are attached to those buildings. So, when you take that building that people are tied to and you reinvigorate it with life, it's just an awesome thing. And I think that's what we do best," he explained.
As he continues to invest in properties around Luzerne County, Basalyga said the response he's gotten from local officials and residents has been very welcoming.
"I really appreciate the support. It's certainly great to see that you accepted. I know there's always been a Mason Dixon line between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre, but you know, hopefully we could start breaking that down and work together more and share our successes."
All it takes, Basalyga said, is commitment from passionate individuals.
"If you have that, you can do anything."
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