SUNBURY – What will happen to the old Northumberland County prison? Structural engineers brought in by the county have ruled that the outer wall is sound and is not in danger of collapse. Tuesday, insurance adjusters and their engineers are touring the building with members of the county prison board. Based on their findings, the insurance company will determine whether or not the building is a total loss.
A group, formed on Facebook and titled Save Northumberland County Prison, has formed with the goal of saving the prison. Seventeen people met Monday night at a meeting of the Old Towne Neighborhood group. The group encouraged members to maintain a presence at public meetings and in the media. Organizers believe the prison holds historical value for the county and should not be demolished.
At least one private citizen has expressed interest in purchasing the property. County commissioners had planned to meet with the unnamed individual, but decided it was premature to consider either sale or demolition of the structure. According to commissioner Rick Shoch, any decisions regarding the disposition of the prison fall squarely on the shoulders of the prison board. The board of six is comprised of the three county commissioners, controller Chris Grayson, sheriff Robert Wolfe and district attorney Ann Targonski.
Commissioner Vinny Clausi spoke with adjusters outside the prison Tuesday morning and said he wanted to know the cost of reconstructing the building at its current location versus another site.
Commissioner Rick Shoch is hoping for a preliminary report from adjusters, but doesn’t expect decisions to be made until a final report from the insurance company is received. That could take some time, but Shoch is not in any hurry. “This county will live with the decisions made with respect to the prison for decades. We should not rush down any path just because someone has unilaterally imposed an arbitrary 30 day deadline on a decision.”
A state police fire marshal has ruled the cause of the fire undetermined, with no signs of foul play. (Jennifer Wakeman)