Schuylkill OKs tax break for Lakewood
Two gorgeous destinations, a mile apart, once graced Ryan Township.
Lakeside Park had two dams, picnic grounds, bathing houses, cottages, a roller coaster, sand beach and a ballroom.
Lakewood Park also had a swimming lake and spacious ballroom.
People could come by train to Mahanoy Junction and disembark to enjoy either or both parks.
Can the Glory Days be brought back to life?
The former Lakewood Park, located on the south side of Route 54 in Ryan Township, is a major step closer to that goal.
During a meeting Wednesday, the Schuylkill County Commissioners approved implementing Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance for new construction and improvements on the property.
LERTA lets municipal authorities make ordinances which temporarily exempt payment of real estate taxes.
Lakewood got new owners late in 2017, when the 54-acre property was purchased by Loren E. “Buck” Roth, Patty Roth and Andrew Roth, all of Nescopeck Township, for $507,000. The Roths plan a campground with entertainment venue.
Both Ryan Township and Mahanoy Area School District have already approved the LERTA designation.
The LERTA by the Commissioners was implemented through the county solicitor’s office. On behalf of the solicitor’s officers, the Commissioners also:
Settled a tax assessment appeal initiated by Ryan Township Supervisor Clyde C. “Champ” Holman and former Schuylkill County District Attorney Christine Holman, for a 2.5-acre vacant land property located on State Road in Ryan Township.
The Holmans purchased the property Nov. 28, 2017, for $27,000. According to the solicitor’s office, “after extensive negotiations and based upon the affected taxing districts’ review of comparable sales and expert appraisal opinion obtained by the owners, the parties stipulate that the fair market value of the property is $24,000.
Approved and authorized the renewal of excess workers’ compensation policy, effective Jan. 1, 2019, through Jan. 1, 2021, with Midwest Employers Casualty Company. The estimated premium for the renewal rate is $199,997 in 2019 and $219,994 for 2020.
