Latest news with #Scranton-based
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Senior housing projects progress in Dunmore, roughly $21 million investment
Two senior housing projects will add nearly 90 apartments and personal care units to Dunmore Corners, representing an estimated $21 million investment into Dunmore's downtown. Construction of the four-story Bucktown Center at East Drinker and South Apple streets is nearly complete, creating 37 one-bedroom apartments — each about 800 square feet — and three two-bedroom apartments, said Marty Fotta, chief operating officer of United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Bucktown Center, which also has 5,500 square feet of first-floor commercial space currently available to lease or buy, is set to begin moving in residents by the end of June, said UNC President and CEO Lisa Durkin. On going construction at the Bucktown Center senior apartment complex in Dunmore on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) A block away, the Dunmore Personal Care Residence at Chestnut and Calvin streets is set to break ground by July to construct a 48-unit personal care home that is scheduled to be completed in fall 2026 under a 14-month construction timeline, said Dunmore native Michael Kelly, president of Scranton-based Senior Health Care Solutions. While United Neighborhood Centers will operate the nearby Bucktown Center, Kelly is also the developer behind that project. The Bucktown Center is an estimated $12 million project, and the Dunmore Personal Care Residence is about a $9 million project, he said. * A lot on the corner of Chestnut and Calvin St. that developer Mike Kelly plans on constructing a 48-unit personal care facility in Dunmore on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * A rendering of the Dunmore Personal Care Residence at Chestnut and Calvin streets. Construction is set to begin this summer, wrapping up in the fall of 2026. (Courtesy of Michael Kelly, president of Senior Health Care Solutions) * A rendering of the Dunmore Personal Care Residence at Chestnut and Calvin streets. Construction is set to begin this summer, wrapping up in the fall of 2026. (Courtesy of Michael Kelly, president of Senior Health Care Solutions) Show Caption 1 of 3 A lot on the corner of Chestnut and Calvin St. that developer Mike Kelly plans on constructing a 48-unit personal care facility in Dunmore on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand Earlier this month, Kelly held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for his Tunkhannock Rehabilitation and Health Care Center at 27 West St., Tunkhannock, opening a 52-bed 'state-of-the-art center' to provide long-term care in Wyoming County, according to Kelly. His Tunkhannock facility will have hotel-like amenities with private rooms and baths, common and private meeting rooms, a bistro cafe, recreational activity rooms, a physical therapy gym, a media center, dining areas and an interactive nursing station, according to Kelly. Kelly's firm, Senior Health Care Solutions, has developed 25 facilities across Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, including about 13 in Lackawanna County. Though he has since sold them, Kelly previously operated facilities in Blakely, Dunmore, Jessup, Old Forge, Scranton and Throop. Both Kelly and Fotta noted the demand for senior housing in the Dunmore area. United Neighborhood Centers opened applications for the Bucktown Center at the beginning of the year, and so far, they have received more than 150 applications, Fotta said. Kelly expects to open applications for his nearby personal care residence in early spring 2026. The developments cater to baby boomers, Kelly said, pointing to the demand for private accommodations. 'Our parents, grandparents, they were used to sharing bathrooms and rooms,' he said. 'Everybody wants private accommodations anymore. … You don't want to dine at a table with 30 people, you want to live personally within yourself.' At the Bucktown Center, where rent will be around $900 to $1,000 per month including all utilities, apartments will have a living room, a kitchen and dining room area, a bedroom and washer and dryer hookups, Fotta said. The units are also accessible with amenities like easy-to-enter showers and grab bars 'to make it really comfortable for the seniors who are going to live there,' he said. Tenants must be 62 or older. Although they are private, independent-living apartments, there will be shared community spaces like balconies overlooking Drinker Street and a large community room, Durkin added. At the Dunmore Personal Care Residence, residents will have access to a bistro cafe and bar, a recreational activity room, a physical therapy gym, a media center and multiple dining areas, Kelly said. Outdoors, there will be a patio and a wheelchair-accessible garden. The residence will be staffed by licensed practical nurses and aides, and it will offer on-site doctor's visits, in addition to providing transportation to off-site medical visits, medication administration and access to therapists and social work, among other services, Kelly said. 'You move into here, and all your needs are met, and if you have some physical maladies, we take care of that for you,' Kelly said. 'It's peace of mind for your kids, it's peace of mind for yourself that you're safe.' Residents at the personal care home will be able to come and go as they please, he said. Though it depends on need, the average room will be about $3,500 to $4,000 per month, which is all inclusive, including food, beverages, care and laundry, he said. 'I think it's low for the industry,' Kelly said of the rate. 'We'd like to be as affordable as possible for the elderly.' Dunmore Mayor Max Conway lauded the 'tremendous development' happening in Dunmore Corners in recent years, including the senior housing projects. 'This is real money we're talking about,' he said. 'These aren't some smaller investments that are being made.' Conway believes the new housing will provide a boost to nearby businesses with new clientele from not just the incoming residents, but also their visiting family and friends. 'We're only going to see more development up there,' he said. Because of the requirements for the Bucktown Center under the Pennsylvania State Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program, United Neighborhood Centers will have to quickly move residents in in June when the facility is complete, Durkin said. As a result, she asked the Dunmore community for some patience if there are any traffic holdups from moving trucks. 'In the long run, this is going to be a community asset that really contributes to the neighborhood and the vibrancy of the beautiful town of Dunmore,' Durkin said. Anyone interested in applying to live at the Bucktown Center can email housing and property manager Debra Reese at dreese@ and any businesses interested in occupying the first floor can contact Joy Hubshman, the director of community housing development, at 570-346-0759 or jhubshman@
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
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."
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marywood University aviation program spreads its wings
Capt. Joseph McDonald joined Marywood University's Aviation Management program in 1999, when it started. Over 25 years later, the former American Airlines pilot and director of the program will see it expand from Northeast Pennsylvania into the Philadelphia suburbs. The Scranton-based program will spread its wings, collaborating with Fly Gateway Aviation Institute, where it will offer students to the south a chance to learn the aviation business and pursue a career in the field from an operation at Wings Field Airport, also known as the 'Blue Bell Airport,' in the Philadelphia suburb of Blue Bell. McDonald explained that the Aviation Management program offers two tracks. * Marywood University's Aviation Management Program, which is set to expand out to the Philadelphia suburbs at 'the Blue Bell Airport' in Blue Bell, Pa., boasts 78 students currently enrolled, 12 of whom are women. (Marywood University / Submitted) * Marywood University's Aviation Management Program, which is set to expand out to the Philadelphia suburbs at 'the Blue Bell Airport' in Blue Bell, Pa., offers students a chance to operate flight simulators and even fly aircraft in their first year as students. (Marywood University / Submitted) * Marywood University's Aviation Management Program, which is set to expand out to the Philadelphia suburbs at 'the Blue Bell Airport' in Blue Bell, Pa., is under the direction of Captain Joseph McDonald, a retired 38-year American Airlines pilot. (Marywood University / Submitted) Show Caption 1 of 3 Marywood University's Aviation Management Program, which is set to expand out to the Philadelphia suburbs at 'the Blue Bell Airport' in Blue Bell, Pa., boasts 78 students currently enrolled, 12 of whom are women. (Marywood University / Submitted) Expand 'We have the professional pilots' side, and the airline Aviation Management track,' said McDonald, who noted students in the program graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. There are 78 students currently in the aviation program. Sheryl Lynn Sochoka, the director of communications at Marywood, elaborated on the program. 'Through an all-in-one integrated program, students receive aviation-specific training with a strong business foundation, providing the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in today's aviation industry,' she said in a news release. 'Students can take all non-pilot related courses online to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, while taking in-person flight courses and instruction at the Blue Bell Airport.' McDonald said the program's progress is moving along at Mach speed, and organizers are currently in the process of finalizing all the details of when the operation will take flight. 'We took our time to make sure we were doing it correctly,' McDonald said, indicating the program will launch in its new location 'fairly soon.' 'We're just waiting for FAA approval for satellite operation,' he said, with paperwork needed to satisfy certain requirements. Fly Gateway Aviation Institute is under contract to provide aircraft and instructors, McDonald said. As part of their training, students have access to a fleet of modern aircraft, including the 2022-2024 Piper Archer 100i. 'We have five new airplanes. The students went down to Florida and flew them up for us fresh from the factory,' McDonald said. 'They are brand new right out of the factory.' McDonald estimated the 2025 models are valued at around $475,000 each, and said students also train with the 2022, 2023 and 2024 models. The retired pilot, who worked with American Airlines for 38 years, said the aviation industry is a strong career choice. 'You're never going to be complacent,' McDonald said. 'You're always studying. … It's a great career and a majority of our students who go into it stay with it.' He said there are 'more facets than just working for the airlines,' adding that there is work in the private sector, at airports, for the FAA, in corporate aviation and more. 'There's many avenues. … There's different levels,' McDonald said. Marywood's Aviation Management program sets students up with what is essentially a 'Ph.D. equivalent of aviation,' the restricted ATP (airline transport pilot) program. He said that 'regular ATP' has a requirement of age 23 with 1,500 hours of experience, but graduates of the Marywood Aviation Management ATP program can be 21 and log 1,250 hours of flight time. 'We have an FAA program in place where we can reduce it (requirements),' McDonald said. 'They usually come out and become flight instructors, get nine months to a year, get their 1,250 hours and join a regional airline.' Anthony Nestico, the assistant director of the Aviation Management program and a JetBlue first officer, said students get hands-on experience at Marywood. 'At Marywood University, we believe in learning by doing. Students in our program fly during their freshman year,' Nestico said. 'Most pilot programs make them wait until their sophomore or junior year before they ever get to fly a real airplane. While we have airplane simulators to get them started, they are soon prepared and equipped to take flight in their first year.' McDonald said the typical starting job in the field is around $60,000 to $80,000. One study indicates a first officer, also known as a co-pilot, will earn between $100,000 and $230,000 annually, with a Delta captain earning about $300,000 to $400,000 per year. Another report places the salary of regional airline first officers at $90 to $150 per hour, with an American Airlines subsidiary, Piedmont Airlines, paying first officers $96,000 per year. McDonald, who teaches four courses at Marywood and said he's there 'just about every day now,' said the students who graduate from the university's Aviation Management program are flying high. 'It's very refreshing to hear they are working, they are out there in the industry,' he said. 'We're quite fortunate.'
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
Taylor teen builds ‘scent wall' for Taylor police K-9
The Taylor Police Department has a new tool to train its K-9 thanks to a borough teen. Nathan Thorp, 15, built a 'scent-detection wall' this month to help K-9 Biko, the Police Department's Belgian Malinois, and K-9 Officer Matthew McDonald hone Biko's ability to sniff out drugs. The Riverside High School freshman constructed the roughly 16-foot-long by 4-foot-tall wall for his Eagle Scout project — the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America — as a member of Scranton-based Boy Scout Troop 16. Nathan constructed the scent wall with some help from his dad, Stew, and volunteers from his troop. * Taylor K-9 police officer Matthew McDonald handles 4-year-old K-9 named Biko while he detects attempts to detect methamphetamine in the 'scent wall' in their Taylor training facility. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Taylor K-9 police officer Matthew McDonald plays with 4-year-old K-9 named Biko after detecting methamphetamine in the 'scent wall' at a training facility in Taylor Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Taylor police K-9 Biko plays with K-9 officer Matthew McDonald at a Taylor training facility Wednesday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) * Taylor K-9 Biko detects drugs hidden in the scent wall during a training session with his handler Taylor Officer Matthew McDonald Wednesday. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Show Caption 1 of 4 Taylor K-9 police officer Matthew McDonald handles 4-year-old K-9 named Biko while he detects attempts to detect methamphetamine in the 'scent wall' in their Taylor training facility. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER) Expand With 18 holes in the wall connected with toilet flanges, the wall uses Y pipes where a K-9 handler can stash objects for the dog to find, Nathan said. 'The dog will just go to each and every hole and sniff at each one, and when he finds it, he'll stare at it,' he said. 'They think it's like a game because when they find it, they get a treat or they get a tennis ball for a little bit.' Nathan, who has been in the Boy Scouts since first grade, said the idea for the wall came after he attended a borough meeting for a merit badge. During the meeting, McDonald and Biko held a demonstration, and McDonald told Nathan's cubmaster that the department was looking to build a drug wall. 'I thought it'd be a great idea to do my project as that,' Nathan said. Building the wall took about two days, and once it was finished, Nathan and his dad mounted it inside a building at 360 S. Keyser Ave. that the Taylor Police Department uses for training. Police Chief Brian Holland commended Nathan's project, calling it helpful for not just Biko and McDonald but also their training group, which includes K-9 officers from the Scranton and Moosic police departments. The K-9 units are required to spend 16 hours per month training in order to maintain their certifications, and they frequently train together outside of those mandated hours, Holland said. 'They typically train in the Allentown area, so if there's a scheduling conflict or inclement weather or something that prevents them from going down there, they'll train here,' he said. 'Them having access to this is wonderful.' Police will use the wall to hide drugs in different locations for narcotics scent-detection training, Holland said. When McDonald spoke to the Boy Scouts about the project, he gave them plans for the wall and worked closely with them, Holland said. 'For us to also partner with an organization like the (Boy Scouts), it's exactly what we were hoping for,' he said. Biko, now 4 years old, arrived in the United States from Belgium in August 2022, becoming Taylor's first police dog in six years. Since then, Biko has been fantastic, Holland said. The Belgian Malinois, who was paid for entirely through community fundraising, has helped apprehend fugitives, carried out a significant number of drug searches and has aided in searches at schools and the federal U.S. Penitentiary at Canaan, Holland said. Biko also serves a role in community policing, with McDonald and his four-legged partner participating in Read Across America at Riverside and at Taylor's National Night Out, Holland said. Throughout 2024, Biko was deployed 44 times, with 37 drug detection deployments and seven patrol deployments, resulting in 29 arrests, according to a deployment summary provided by Holland. Last year, Biko worked with law enforcement from Taylor, Scranton, Dunmore, USP Canaan, Olyphant, Lackawanna County, Old Forge, Dickson City, Archbald, Carbondale, Jessup, Blakely, South Abington Twp. and the U.S. Marshals Service, according to the summary. Overall, McDonald and Biko's police work resulted in the seizure of 54.5 grams of methamphetamine, 10 grams of cocaine, 10 grams of heroin and 1 gram of marijuana; two firearms; 18 pieces of drug paraphernalia; and $2,500, according to the deployment statistics. Nathan, who's now in the home stretch to securing his Eagle Scout rank, said he's glad his project is able to help police and the community. 'I thought that this project would be very beneficial for the Police Department, our community,' he said. 'Keeping us safe.' To see McDonald and Biko use Nathan's scent wall, there will be a demonstration Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. at 360 S. Keyser Ave., Taylor.
