Historic Schwab School to be Restored, Transformed into Apartments

WEATHERLY - State Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) and state Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-122) joined local officials at a press conference today to announce that work to transform the blighted Schwab School in Weatherly into 30 affordable apartments will soon begin.

"Long before I became the senator for Carbon County, I have admired this historic old structure," said Argall. "Now, thanks to strong public-private partnerships, we can breathe new life into this decaying 1903 building, making the Schwab school once again the pride of the Weatherly community. This effort has been at the top of my priority list so that soon, the people of this area will have a new place to live. I've been pleased to work with local volunteers in Jim Thorpe and Tamaqua on similar historic preservation and revitalization efforts."

"It's wonderful to see this local project move forward," said Heffley. "Not only will this historic building be restored, but it will also provide affordable housing for the people of Carbon County."

The school will be rehabilitated into 12 two-bedroom apartments. The severely deteriorated gymnasium will be demolished and 18 one-bedroom apartments will be built in its place. The unique character of the building will be preserved by a complete exterior restoration.

Argall and Heffley worked closely with the Alliance for Building Communities to secure $250,000 from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, $850,000 from the PennHOMES program, and more than $1.1 million in housing tax credits for these new apartments.

The Schwab School was built and donated to the Borough of Weatherly in 1903 by Charles M. Schwab in honor of his wife Eurana, who grew up in the borough. Schwab led both US Steel and Bethlehem Steel. The building served as a much-admired local school until 1991.

Also speaking at the press conference were Melissa Keiser, Vice President of the Alliance for Building Communities, Borough Manager Harold Pudliner, and Mayor Paul Hadzick.

CONTACT: Jim Brugger (Argall)
Huntre Keip (Heffley)