The city council has been asked to authorize seeking a $200,000 grant that would fund a legal review of the process needed to sell or lease the golf club’s 542-acre property, along with several parcels surrounding a nearby lake. Monetizing assets like the golf club was recommended by a consulting firm that is advising the city on how to restore its financial health. The 51-year-old club has an 18-hole course designed by George Cornish.
Mayor Tony George’s administration wants to look into the sale or lease of the Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Golf Club and surrounding property, The Citizens’ Voice of Wilkes-Barre reported.
City Administrator Ted Wampole asked the Wilkes-Barre city council at a work session on October 17 to consider authorizing the administration to seek a $200,000 grant, part of which would fund a legal review of the process needed to sell or lease the 542-acre golf course situated in Bear Creek Township and several parcels surrounding a nearby lake, The Citizens’ Voice reported.
Wilkes-Barre GC’s 18-hole course was designed by George Cornish in 1967.
Public Financial Management (PFM), the consulting firm hired to advise city officials as they strive to restore the city’s financial health, had recommended last year in a five-year fiscal management plan that officials consider monetizing some assets such as the sewer system, parking meters and golf courses, The Citizen’s Voice reported.
Some communities have used proceeds from the sale or lease of such assets to shore up pension liabilities and pay down debt, PFM stated in the plan report.
PFM had referred to a report that appeared in The Citizens’ Voice, which explained that any sale of the property in Bear Creek Township would require the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s approval, because legislation that provided funding for the purchase of the land in 1967 doesn’t allow resale of the land without it.
It is unclear whether such a restriction exists for long-term leases, PFM noted.
In addition to funding legal guidance on the golf course monetization, the grant also would pay to upgrade the city’s financial software and hire an economic development consultant, The Citizens’ Voice reported.
The consultant would, among other things, advocate on behalf of the city in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.; streamline government operations; help draft and review requests for proposals; review the city’s structure of municipal authorities and report on their effectiveness; and develop a parks and recreation inventory to help identify ways to improve recreation.
The city would have to put up a $20,000 match for the grant, The Citizens’ Voice reported.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.