John T. Cognetti

BSRE was formed by PAR in 1999 primarily for the purpose of selling PAR Standard Forms. Over the past several years, BSRE has expanded to include additional product and service offerings designed to produce non-dues revenue for PAR. Recently, BSRE has expanded its business to include EasyStreet Insurance Services, a licensed brokerage offering professionals insurance coverage from well-respected companies.

The BSRE Board of Directors recently met to discuss how the board may be internally restructured and to address ways to better serve PAR members. The board also heard a report that EasyStreet Insurance Services is already managing more than $400,000 in annualized premiums, including PAR’s employee insurance plan.

“BSRE continues to explore services to provide resources REALTORS® need to do business,” said Henry Lerner, Esq., BSRE’s chief operating officer.

Other directors for 2010 include: Jules Falcone, Media; Bob Hay, Stroudsburg; Sally Heimbrook, Beaver; Frank Jacovini, Philadelphia; Ted Laskowski, Quakertown; Guy Matteo, Newtown Square; Michael McGee, West Chester; Patrice Merzanis, Lemoyne; Teresa Wygle, Meadville and Gary Yost, Wyomissing

 About Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate.

Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate (www.hinerfeldcommercial.com) has been in operation since 1934 and specializes in industrial, retail, office, land, and investment properties. Headquartered in Scranton, PA, the company services owners, tenants, developers, and investors in Northeast PA. Individual memberships include the Industrial Real Estate Brokers Association of Metropolitan New York, the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR), Commercial Investment Network (CCIM), Warehousing Education and Research Council (WERC), and Northeast PA Logistics Club.

St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen recently honored its volunteers who help prepare and serve the daily free meal to to area needy. The kitchen board of directors hosted an appreciation dinner for the volunteers and board members served the meal. The event featured a full-course menu, entertainment, gifts and prizes. From left are, seated, Gloria and John Dee, Pat Dalton, Walter and Lilliam Dever; standing, Pat and Ann Lavelle, Jon Johns, Avi Ruzi, Joan Halle, Dorthy Ruzi, Blanche Tomaselli, Jerry Johns; and Judy Cosgrove, board member.

Enjoying dinner are, from left are, seated, Suzanne Druffner, Verna Burke, Vera Hughes, Stella Darcy and Richard Calomino; standing, Dr. Jospeh Kelly, Board President; Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, Director; and Lisa Davis, board member.

Also enjoying the event are, from left, seated, Mary Ann Preskin, Ellen Dorse, Rose Ann Twosend and Andy Semprat; standing, Barbara Green; John Cognetti, board member; Peggy Howley and Ed Katusak.

When Daron’s trucks rumble by, the vibrations are enough to rattle the porcelain cups and dishes right to the edge of the shelf.

For Evann Xanthis, it’s the dust. The chalky, pervasive dust that coats everything and jams air conditioners.

Ms. Xanthis can’t remember the last time she opened a window. Being across the street from Daron is “like living in a catacomb,” she said.

For Daron and its neighbors in Lower Green Ridge, this winter is the beginning of the end for what was an uneasy relationship from the start.

In November 2007, the masonry and concrete company announced it would relocate its plants from Scranton and Ashley to an industrial park in Archbald, with production beginning there in February.

Winding down

As Daron readies to move, there has been less truck traffic, and dismantling began of its heavy machinery. The 16-acre property at 530 Electric St., a tax-free Keystone Opportunity Zone through 2010, is listed at $3.5 million by Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate.

To residents, Daron’s departure is a relief, though bittersweet because it took so long.

Four lawsuits are pending against the company for the detrimental impact it allegedly had on residents’ lives, namely the dust, noise and traffic, which Daron denies. In 2005, the company paid a $3,700 fine to the state Department of Environmental Protection for air-quality violations.

Daron’s tenure in Scranton wasn’t rosy for the company, either. In 2007, it threatened to sue if city council banned trucks from Dickson Avenue. A few months later, it sued resident Daniel Hubbard and the Lower Green Ridge Neighborhood Association for slander.

Mr. Hubbard accused Daron of violating zoning law and causing “long-term lung damage.” The case was later discontinued, and Mr. Hubbard issued a public retraction as part of the settlement.

Repeated calls and visits to Daron in attempt to speak with general manager David Lewis about the move to Archbald were unsuccessful.

Breathing a sigh of relief

Daron’s presence has been maddening to perhaps no one more than Ms. Xanthis, who chokes back tears as she talks about her daughter’s breathing problems and the medical bills they have incurred.

After 20 years on Dickson Avenue, Ms. Xanthis is selling her home, though she would love to stay just long enough to see Daron leave first.

A block away on Sanderson Avenue, 20-year-old Katie O’Neil said Daron has been more of an annoyance than a bane, but she won’t miss needing to clean dust off the car and backyard deck.

Mr. Prendergast, one of the four residents suing Daron along with Ms. Xanthis, blames the city and believes officials could have better protected the neighborhood. He also worries about what will come in Daron’s place.

In recent weeks, council discussed rezoning the Daron property from light industrial, citing a DEP report that recommended such a change. But Dan Penetar, the zoning board solicitor, advised against that action, saying it would be illegal “spot zoning.”

Already, though, it is apparent the pall Daron cast on the neighborhood is lifting.

Look no further than Debbie Roth, who bought a house on Delaware Street in June. Ms. Roth said before her Realtor could convince her to move in, there was one thing she needed to hear — that Daron was moving out.

- Courtesy of The Times-Tribune

The majority of the retail development in this growing market is the repositioning of existing retail and infill development where there are gaps between the markets. The Shoppes at Montage, northeastern Pennsylvania’s first lifestyle center, opened this past spring and brought with it several new retailers to the area. Developed by Jeffrey R. Anderson Real Estate, the 316,000-square-foot center includes approximately 70 retailers including newcomers such as J. Jill, Christmas Tree Shops, Jos. A Bank and several specialty restaurants. The new center was also a big draw for staple regional mall tenants such as Victoria’s Secret and Gap. Located in the Glenmaura area right off of Interstate 81 between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre on Davis Street/Montage Mountain Road, the new lifestyle center will conveniently serve the entire northeast Pennsylvania market.

The area of Glenmaura is anticipated to be the next booming commercial real estate market in northeast Pennsylvania. In addition to the Shoppes at Montage, there is a large 18-screen cinema, a major corporate office park with Class A office buildings, a growing residential component, as well as a plethora of recreational activities ranging from the Montage Ski Resort, the Montage Performing Arts Center, an outdoor concert amphitheatre to a country club with a golf course. Another factor that will affect the growth in the area is the local AAA baseball franchise, which recently became an affiliate of the New York Yankees. In addition to being a tourist attraction, the owner of the franchise, Mandalay Sports, intends to develop the area surrounding the stadium with retail and other commercial development.

The Poconos is another growing area and a big draw for the northeastern Pennsylvania market. Heading east toward the Poconos, the Route 611 corridor is filling up with big-box development to the point that it has begun to put a strain on traffic. This new wave of retail development is being built to meet the demands of the growing population in the Poconos region. No longer primarily a second home community, a mix of residents, ranging from retiring baby boomers to young couples looking to start families and businesses, are moving to this idyllic area. Another factor affecting the growth of the Poconos is the new Mount Airy Casino that is slated to open this fall. The new gaming development promises to attract more tourists as well as residents with the promise of new jobs — again catalysts for more retail development.

Currently, retail vacancy rates are sitting at approximately 10 percent with rental rates ranging from $15 per square foot to $30 per square foot for mall rentals. However, keep your eye on this market because things are only going to get better.

- John T. Cognetti, SIOR, CCIM, is the president of Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate.

- First published in Northeast Real Estate Business