SUNBURY – Sunbury Mayor David Persing had no idea the Northumberland County Commissioners were going to move the county prison to a site in Coal Township, “Well, when I first heard it, I was very surprised, and I have to say I was very disappointed. I have a lot of concerns out there and I didn’t really know any facts or figures. In fact I still don’t know any facts or figures on what’s happening.”
He says his main concern is the transport of prisoners from Sunbury to Coal Township. Persing said, “What is that going to add to a city budget that is already, you know, we are like everybody else’s budget. We are down to the bare services that we provide now. I don’t know. I’m assuming when they get a little more facts and figures together, they are going to let us know and all the other communities in Northumberland County, how this is going to work.”
Persing talked about what they could do with the fire damaged prison in downtown Sunbury, “I know people have talked to us about, you know, it would be a nice historical thing, and it would be, but the money would be astronomical to maintain that in the city and we clearly could not afford to do such a thing.” He continued, “That will be another part of this project. What are the county’s plans on that. It’s a block away from our downtown so it’s going to make an impact on the city of Sunbury. We want to work with the county to try to help them develop it into something. It just can’t sit there as it is right now.”
And he hopes the Celotex site, which was being considered for the county prison, will still be developed, “I’m hoping I can work with the county and our Redevelopment Authority, with all the good things we are doing right now in the city, and maybe find a way that we can all work together to try to promote that area and get something in that site, so it just doesn’t sit empty for the next 20 years.”
The county commissioners announced they will be purchasing the Northwestern Academy property in Coal Township, with the building and grounds serving as the new county prison. (Ali Stevens)
