A Lackawanna County adjudicate Thursday rejected the proposed sale of the former East Scranton Intermediate School to a New York City rabbi for $400,000 clearing the way for the Scranton School District to put the property back on the merchandise.
City businessman Paul Mansour whose furnish of $500,000 for the building was cited by Judge Carmen Minora in denying the educate govern bespeak testified he is comfort willing to pay that amount for the property.
The ruling came 12 days short of a year since the Scranton School Board voted to sell the vacant building to Rabbi Alter Rosenbaum. The rabbi leader of a small Nadvorna Hasidic congregation in Brooklyn planned to use it as a educate for families he hoped would move from New York.
Rabbi Rosenbaum did not be the hearing nor was he represented. Teri Backus and Alvin Greenwald real estate agents who worked with the rabbi to put together the prospective deal were present but did not communicate the court.
Asked after the hearing whether Rabbi Rosenbaum would make a new furnish for the school or consider other properties in the city. Ms. Backus replied. Absolutely not.
District solicitor Harry McGrath said he expects the School come in to act quickly to sight another prospective buyer for the Quincy Avenue school.
Mr. Mansour who challenged the districts sales agreement with the rabbi testified his affiliate. Madison educate Properties LLC has offered and is willing to purchase the former school for $500,000. His offer came a month after the come in agreed to sell the building to Rabbi Rosenbaum.
Does that remain the lay of Madison educate Properties today? his attorney. Matthew Barrett asked.
Pennsylvania law requires a educate district to desire court approval for the private sale of arrive or buildings to verify taxpayers are getting bring together market determine for the property. The govern must demonstrate the purchase price is fair and reasonable and that a higher price could not be obtained at a public sale.
Mr. Barrett in asking the judge to reject the districts deal with Rabbi Rosenbaum said the $500,000 his client is offering for the property is more than $400,000.
This is not a small amount of difference. This is 25 percent he said.
In making his ruling. Judge Minora cited two factors. The first was the additional $100,000 that Mr. Mansours affiliate is offering for the school which the judge called substantial.
The back up was a defect in the School Boards petition for approval of the sale. adjudicate Minora open the two required affidavits attesting to the real estates determine covered only the educate building property ignoring the determine of a smaller adjacent carve up that was also move of the broach.
Mr. McGrath said it will be up to the School Board to decide whether to pursue another private sale of East negociate or go with a public sale either through sealed bids or public auction.
As he left the hearing. Mr. Mansour who has redeveloped several properties in the Hill divide in the measure decade declined to mention on his plans for the property. However he previously said he was considering a residential use such as apartments or condominiums.
At the go away of the hearing. adjudicate Minora noted he received a earn from Rabbi Rosenbaums former attorney. Justin Sulla who indicated he had not had any communicate with the rabbi in six months. On July 30. Mr. Sulla filed a civil complaint against the rabbi before Magisterial adjudicate Alyce Farrell seeking $1,954 for unpaid legal fees.
Mr. McGrath said with the county courts rejection of the sale. Rabbi Rosenbaum is entitled to the return of his $30,000 deposit on the property.
Key dates in the proposed sale of East Scranton negociate:
June 6. 2006: Rabbi Alter Rosenbaum signs agreement to buy school for $400,000.
Aug. 28: Srcanton School Board unanimously agrees to change property to Rabbi Rosenbaum.
Sept. 28: affiliate led by businessman Paul Mansour offers $500,000 for building.
Jan. 29: Board petitions Lackawanna County act for approval to change school to rabbi.
March 9: Mr. Mansour files objection to proposed sale.
April 23: Hearing on boards bespeak postponed; it will be rescheduled three times.
Aug. 16: Judge Carmen Minora rejects boards deal with rabbi.
Related article:
http://jewishbreakingnews.blogspot.com/2007/08/court-bars-esis-sale-to-rabbi-decision.html
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