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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Thursday, October 18, 2018

Milides Building Will Soon Be Milides Parking Lot

NorCo's Public Works Director Mike Emili informed County Council last night that the County is planning now to demolish the Milides building and replace it with a much-needed parking lot, right across the street from the courthouse. Last week, it obtained some minor variances from Easton's Zoning Hearing Board. Work is now imminent.

The once majestic building has fallen on hard times. One of its biggest problems is that the former law office, along with a 40-space parking lot, is slowly falling off a cliff.

Emili and Administrator Charles Dertinger say there are plans in place to shore up the cliff. One of the main reasons for the erosion is that the building and parking lot were built on top of fill. Another is that rainwater from the building and parking lot trickle down the side of the cliff, eroding it.

Dertinger said that the county will place an underground tank under the parking lot, which will serve as a drain.

When completed, Dertinger said there will be 104 parking spots instead of the current 40. This will include eight spaces for handicapped parking, six of which will be van accessible.

Emili also updated Council on the P3 project, under which 33 bridges are to be repaired or replaced. One bridge was completed last year, and 10 were supposed to be completed this year. Only 6 of these bridges will be completed. Emili said there are two reasons why. First, there were difficulties with easements. Second, the constant rain slowed down work.

In some good news, the emergency generators at Gracedale are installed Permits are being obtained and testing will follow. Emili and his Deputy, Scott Parsons, predict the generators will be online in a few weeks.

"The end is in sight," said Emili of a project that has lingered since 2013.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

What is the County going to do about the people crossing the street to the courthouse? Heard an employee was permanent handicapped while being a pedestrian hit while crossing there. Very unsafe there on a daily basis.

Bernie O'Hare said...

The county plans to have a new crosswalk from the Milides lot to the courthouse. Brown took it away.

Anonymous said...

I'm assuming the spaces will be all permit spots and not for citizens since this is the direction the main parking deck as gone?

Anonymous said...

I believe I'm correct in saying that there was a crosswalk when the person got hit. How will it be safer for people crossing there? Otherwise, it is a hazard for people crossing.

Bernie O'Hare said...

I believe it depends where it is placed and how it is marked. An engineer is studying that question. Obviously, the safety of employees and visitors is the paramount concern.

Anonymous said...

Nice to hear Bernie. The safety of employees and visitors should have been paramount before. It could kill people and cost $ if not paramount. Seems a little too late for that poor person that was hit and others that dealt with incidents while crossing there.

Anonymous said...

Did I read correctly there with handicapped spots available in that lot. How will handicapped people be seen to cross safely there. I hope the County is looking at least at blinking lights around that crosswalk for safety.

Anonymous said...

People have to look both ways before crossing . They're not kindergartners.

Anonymous said...

People do look both ways. However, because vehicles are coming up from a steep hill or from Wolfe or with the sun in their eyes, people may already be in the crosswalk crossing. It is a VERY DANGEROUS crossing area. Obviously you do not cross there.