The first tenants have now moved into the new apartments at the historic 1924 Altamont Hotel, a few blocks away from my office in downtown Hazleton. The building now features 68 market-rate apartments, after being closed in 2012. The developers have done an excellent job at returning the building to productive use, while preserving its history.
There’s no issue I hear about more from employers and employees than the need for more housing in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. Transforming old, unused buildings into quality apartments is a strategy that has proven very successful in other local communities. Similar efforts are now underway at multiple locations in Orwigsburg, at the Schwab School in Weatherly, the Schuylkill Trust Company building in Pottsville, and what many of us remember as either Scheid’s or Tire Pros in Tamaqua.
The first tenants have now moved into the new apartments at the historic 1924 Altamont Hotel, a few blocks away from my office in downtown Hazleton. The building now features 68 market-rate apartments, after being closed in 2012. The developers have done an excellent job at returning the building to productive use, while preserving its history.
There’s no issue I hear about more from employers and employees than the need for more housing in Schuylkill, Carbon, and Luzerne counties. Transforming old, unused buildings into quality apartments is a strategy that has proven very successful in other local communities. Similar efforts are now underway at multiple locations in Orwigsburg, at the Schwab School in Weatherly, the Schuylkill Trust Company building in Pottsville, and what many of us remember as either Scheid’s or Tire Pros in Tamaqua.
Good luck, @philadelphiaeagles. Bring the Lombardi Trophy back to PA!
Demolishing blighted buildings, creating new green space in Tamaqua.
Three blighted and decaying buildings on Railroad Street in Tamaqua – just across from the historic 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station – are currently being demolished to build a new park showcasing a Liberty Tree. Rep. Jamie Barton and I visited with local leaders to see the progress yesterday.
When I was growing up in a “half a double” on Arlington Street, I never would have imagined the new life that we now see in Tamaqua. This new park will honor the rich local history of the borough AND create much-needed new green space. Tamaqua Railroad Station visitors will be able to walk through the park to Stoker`s Brewing Company, the Tamaqua Arts Center, and beyond.
Funding to tear down these decaying buildings came from the Schuylkill County demolition fund. We’ve worked to secure millions of dollars in state grants and successfully written new laws to provide much-needed dollars to this fund, so we can repair some old buildings for new housing needs and tear down others to breathe new life into older neighborhoods.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, Liberty Trees are being planted across the country as symbols of our enduring freedoms.
Demolishing blighted buildings, creating new green space in Tamaqua.
Three blighted and decaying buildings on Railroad Street in Tamaqua – just across from the historic 1874 Tamaqua Railroad Station – are currently being demolished to build a new park showcasing a Liberty Tree. Rep. Jamie Barton and I visited with local leaders to see the progress yesterday.
When I was growing up in a “half a double” on Arlington Street, I never would have imagined the new life that we now see in Tamaqua. This new park will honor the rich local history of the borough AND create much-needed new green space. Tamaqua Railroad Station visitors will be able to walk through the park to Stoker`s Brewing Company, the Tamaqua Arts Center, and beyond.
Funding to tear down these decaying buildings came from the Schuylkill County demolition fund. We’ve worked to secure millions of dollars in state grants and successfully written new laws to provide much-needed dollars to this fund, so we can repair some old buildings for new housing needs and tear down others to breathe new life into older neighborhoods.
As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation in 2026, Liberty Trees are being planted across the country as symbols of our enduring freedoms.
Yesterday, I joined many of my colleagues in the Senate and the House to recognize the achievements of Girl Scouts across Pennsylvania in 2024. Congratulations to all!
Three local scouts earned the Gold Award – the highest achievement possible as a Girl Scout. The final requirement necessary to achieve this honor is to complete a project addressing a pressing community issue.
Angelina Opachko of Bear Creek Township built nest boxes and created a website to raise awareness about the Barn Owl, which has lost significant areas of their habitat in Pennsylvania. Melaina Barbe of Orwigsburg constructed little libraries at two local schools to give children access to free books. Madison McNeal of Muir wrote, illustrated, and published a book to teach young children to be nice to one another.
Yesterday, I joined many of my colleagues in the Senate and the House to recognize the achievements of Girl Scouts across Pennsylvania in 2024. Congratulations to all!
Three local scouts earned the Gold Award – the highest achievement possible as a Girl Scout. The final requirement necessary to achieve this honor is to complete a project addressing a pressing community issue.
Angelina Opachko of Bear Creek Township built nest boxes and created a website to raise awareness about the Barn Owl, which has lost significant areas of their habitat in Pennsylvania. Melaina Barbe of Orwigsburg constructed little libraries at two local schools to give children access to free books. Madison McNeal of Muir wrote, illustrated, and published a book to teach young children to be nice to one another.
Transforming the Hazleton YMCA into a childcare center… with more to come!
Today, I joined @repwatropa, Rep. Jamie Walsh, @repbresnahan, Hazleton Major Jeff Cusat and City Council, Secretary Rick Siger of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and other local leaders to celebrate the restoration of the proud but long-vacant Hazleton YMCA building into the Mericle Family Center, an early education facility for 150 children.
Because of strong public-private partnerships, we’ve succeeded at bringing MANY new jobs to our region. A growing workforce brings with it a new issue for employees and employers – who will watch their children during the workday? Today’s announcement helps to answer that question.
This is just the beginning of the plans for this location in downtown Hazleton – I hope to be back soon when the gymnasium and pool are open once again. My children learned how to swim right here at the Hazleton Y. So many of us have happy memories in this building and I am VERY pleased to see it reopen for a new generation to create happy memories of their own.
Transforming the Hazleton YMCA into a childcare center… with more to come!
Today, I joined @repwatropa, Rep. Jamie Walsh, @repbresnahan, Hazleton Major Jeff Cusat and City Council, Secretary Rick Siger of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and other local leaders to celebrate the restoration of the proud but long-vacant Hazleton YMCA building into the Mericle Family Center, an early education facility for 150 children.
Because of strong public-private partnerships, we’ve succeeded at bringing MANY new jobs to our region. A growing workforce brings with it a new issue for employees and employers – who will watch their children during the workday? Today’s announcement helps to answer that question.
This is just the beginning of the plans for this location in downtown Hazleton – I hope to be back soon when the gymnasium and pool are open once again. My children learned how to swim right here at the Hazleton Y. So many of us have happy memories in this building and I am VERY pleased to see it reopen for a new generation to create happy memories of their own.
Yesterday, I joined Senator Chris Gebhard and other local leaders to dedicate a newly constructed bridge on State Route 72 over the Swatara Creek in honor of my friend and colleague, the late Sen. Dave Arnold.
Sen. Arnold was a tireless public servant, serving as the district attorney for Lebanon County for 14 years before being elected to represent the 48th senatorial district in Lebanon, Dauphin, and York counties. I hope this bridge, now officially named the Sen. David J. Arnold Jr. Memorial Bridge, reminds us all of his work to hold criminals accountable and improve Pennsylvania.
Pictured here: Rep. John Schlegel, @senatorlisabaker, Sen. Gebhard, Sen. Arnold’s family, me, former President Pro Tempore Jake Corman.
Yesterday, I joined Senator Chris Gebhard and other local leaders to dedicate a newly constructed bridge on State Route 72 over the Swatara Creek in honor of my friend and colleague, the late Sen. Dave Arnold.
Sen. Arnold was a tireless public servant, serving as the district attorney for Lebanon County for 14 years before being elected to represent the 48th senatorial district in Lebanon, Dauphin, and York counties. I hope this bridge, now officially named the Sen. David J. Arnold Jr. Memorial Bridge, reminds us all of his work to hold criminals accountable and improve Pennsylvania.
Pictured here: Rep. John Schlegel, @senatorlisabaker, Sen. Gebhard, Sen. Arnold’s family, me, former President Pro Tempore Jake Corman.
Today, I met with Brigadier General John R. Pippy about his role as the Acting Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. In addition to running the department, he is responsible for commanding the nearly 18,000 members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Pippy previously served in many roles with the Pennsylvania National Guard, which included two deployments to the Middle East. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY in 1992.
The Senate is expected to consider his confirmation this week, as is required by the Pennsylvania Constitution for all the governor’s cabinet-level appointees. I had the pleasure to serve with Brig. Gen. Pippy in both the state House and the state Senate. He has my full support.
Today, I met with Brigadier General John R. Pippy about his role as the Acting Adjutant General of Pennsylvania and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veteran Affairs. In addition to running the department, he is responsible for commanding the nearly 18,000 members of the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard.
Brig. Gen. Pippy previously served in many roles with the Pennsylvania National Guard, which included two deployments to the Middle East. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY in 1992.
The Senate is expected to consider his confirmation this week, as is required by the Pennsylvania Constitution for all the governor’s cabinet-level appointees. I had the pleasure to serve with Brig. Gen. Pippy in both the state House and the state Senate. He has my full support.
On Saturday, Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat and I visited @eckleyminersvillage to review the history of the anthracite coal industry in the Hazleton region. The packed auditorium enjoyed a lecture by Justin Emershaw about the origins of Hazleton followed by a screening of @wviaofficial’s “The Secret Beneath Hazleton,” a fascinating 10-minute film directed by Tim Novotney that explores the abandoned underground mine tunnels that still exist below the city.
This event was part of a series celebrating Anthracite Mining Heritage Month. Before the month ends, two more of these events will be held at Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne.
Jan. 29, 6 p.m. – A Reading Anthracite Company Public Program: The Schuylkill Navigation Canal System; Moderator: Eric Bella, Mining Engineer; Speaker: Mike Szilagyi, AICP.
Jan. 30, 6 p.m. – A Lehigh Engineering Public Program: In Search of the Wanamie Colliery: A Journey Through the Lens of Michael A. Eagleson; Moderator: Eric Bella, Mining Engineer; Speaker: Nick Zmijewski, Industrial Archives & Library.
On Saturday, Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat and I visited @eckleyminersvillage to review the history of the anthracite coal industry in the Hazleton region. The packed auditorium enjoyed a lecture by Justin Emershaw about the origins of Hazleton followed by a screening of @wviaofficial’s “The Secret Beneath Hazleton,” a fascinating 10-minute film directed by Tim Novotney that explores the abandoned underground mine tunnels that still exist below the city.
This event was part of a series celebrating Anthracite Mining Heritage Month. Before the month ends, two more of these events will be held at Alvernia University Pottsville CollegeTowne.
Jan. 29, 6 p.m. – A Reading Anthracite Company Public Program: The Schuylkill Navigation Canal System; Moderator: Eric Bella, Mining Engineer; Speaker: Mike Szilagyi, AICP.
Jan. 30, 6 p.m. – A Lehigh Engineering Public Program: In Search of the Wanamie Colliery: A Journey Through the Lens of Michael A. Eagleson; Moderator: Eric Bella, Mining Engineer; Speaker: Nick Zmijewski, Industrial Archives & Library.