County officially withdraws plans for Susquehanna Street project

Plans for a controversial building project on Susquehanna Street in Jim Thorpe are officially withdrawn.

On Thursday, the Carbon County Commissioners authorized the processing of all necessary documentations for the withdrawal of the land development project and application that was conditionally approved by Jim Thorpe Borough Council on Feb. 14.

County solicitor Daniel Miscavige said that the paperwork for the withdrawal is being sent to Jim Thorpe and will be effective as soon as the borough receives it.

In April, the board canceled all contracts totaling $12.6 million for the project after borough residents filed a lawsuit against Jim Thorpe over its approval for the plans, which residents said, could damage St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church that is built into the mountain above the proposed building site.

In May, Mike Shorten of the church asked for proof that the county is withdrawing the plans for the project so that the church can drop the lawsuit.

Later that month, the commissioners announced that they will let the new board who is seated in January decide on moving forward with creating additional space for the already cramped courthouse.