В Поттсвилле завершен проект по реновации исторического квартала на улице Мауч-Чанк

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... POTTSVILLE — When Mathew Pezon was a baby, his mother brought him to a house on Norwegian Street in Pottsville, where she worked in a cardiac rehabilitation clinic. Thirty-eight years later, Pezon mentioned it Tuesday at the dedication of the Mauch Chunk Street Rehabilitation Project, of which he is the developer. “From the time I was born until I was about 2 years old, I spent five days a week in Pottsville, not far from where we’re standing today,” he said. “My parents were working to build a better life for me and my brother, and this community was a part of the very beginning of our lives,” he said. “So there’s something meaningful about coming back decades later to invest in the same community that was part of our beginning.” Pezon Properties in Easton, of which Pezon is the sole owner, invested $2.1 million in renovating 18 properties from 413 to 505 Mauch Chunk St. “Properties that needed significant investment have been transformed into safe, healthy and code-compliant housing,” Pezon said. “People moving in will be homeowners or renters, but all will become members of the Pottsville community.” The property at 413-415 has been converted into four apartments — two one-bedroom units on the first floor, and two two-bedroom units on the second floor. The houses at 417 and 423 Mauch Chunk St. will be sold to private owners, Pezon said, and 419 will be a rental. Nine additional units, all single-family homes, will be available by the end of September, he said. The remaining four units will be finished by the end of October. Ignacio Patricio, owner of Ignite Construction Group in Allentown, said all of the units will have undergone a top-to-bottom renovation when the project is complete. Schuylkill Realty Holdings LLC purchased the rowhouses from Lehigh Valley Health Network in June 2025. They’re located opposite the former Pottsville Hospital. Craig Shields, a principal in Schuylkill Realty Holdings, said the Pottsville Redevelopment Authority put up $200,000 toward the purchase of the property. The balance of the project was funded by private investment under a partnership of Schuylkill Realty Holdings and Pezon Properties, he said. “These properties were off the tax rolls for two decades,” Shields said, “and are now generating revenue to the city, county and Pottsville Area School District.” Numerous dumpster-loads of trash and construction materials, Shields said, were carted away during renovation of the properties. State and county officials offered remarks as part of the dedication ceremony. State Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, said the project will help ease a critical need for affordable housing in the region. “With so many new jobs coming into our area there is a huge need for housing,” he said. “This project is not only a benefit for Pottsville, but for the whole region.” State Rep. Tim Twardzik, R-123, whose district includes Pottsville, serves on the state House of Representatives Housing Committee. “Every day, we’re dealing with ways to find affordable housing and keep people in their communities,” he said. “To take an empty block like this and bring it back to life is perfect.” Larry Padora, Schuylkill County Commissioners Chairman, and Commissioner Gary J. Hess represented the county. “I’ve seen the before,” said Hess, referring to the previous condition of the houses, “and now I’m seeing the beautiful after.” More information about the Mauch Chunk Street Rehabilitation Project can be found by calling Pezon Properties at 484-651-1055.