Politics & Government

City Wants Solution to Armory Problem

Historic building could have a blighted future; owners say they want to sell, but only to the right buyer.

At the corner of Seventh and Northampton Street you'll find the Armory, a massive, castle-like structure.

Looking up at it, you can imagine soldiers atop its tower, fending off some sort of barbarian horde. But these days, the only enemies at the Armory's gate are time and money, or rather, a lack of the two.

The Armory is arguably the most visible building on the 600 block of Northampton Street. When Easton's planning department residents and business owners on the block, a lot of them said they wanted something done with the property. 

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In fact, the survey shows that residents consider the Armory both a weakness and an opportunity.

"I think the trouble is that it's a vacant building, and a lot of people want to see it occupied," said Becky Bradley, Easton's planning director.

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In fact, if things don't change, the Armory could be declared a blighted property by the city.

"We don't want it to go to that," she said, "but it can only be vacant for so long."

But it's not vacant, says Jacob Estephan, whose family owns the building, along with Jacob's Produce across the street, a contender for the title for "Most Visible Building" on the block. 

He says they use it for storage for the produce business.  And although some buyers have expressed interest in the property, Estephan said getting it occupied again may be easier said than done.

"If I put up a 'For Sale' sign, that 'For Sale' sign's going to stay there for five years," he said. 

Estephan said his family wants to sell the property, but also wants a good price for it, calling it a "million dollar building." Bradley says that's not realistic.

The Armory used to serve as the Pennsylvania National Guard's, well, armory, according to local historian Leonard Buscemi. From 1978-1983, it was used by Manpower. It's been vacant since then.

The Estephans have owned the Armory for 27 years. Originally, Jacob Estephan said his uncle wanted to turn it into a farmer's market. But then his grandfather --  who was running the produce business at the time -- got sick, and that plan fell through.

Over the years, different suggestions have been floated for the property, like a farmer's market, or a theater, said Cindy Cawler, the city's chief code administrator. But nothing's happened with the property. 

"You have a lot of people who want a lot of things done, but they're not looking at it from a business standpoint," Estephan said.

Cawley acknowledged that the Estephans have been good about responding to complaints about things like broken windows. And while the Armory may not have a great reputation in the neighborhood, she and Bradley said there aren't a lot of official complaints logged in about the building.

It's a great location, Estephan said, one of the busiest intersections in Easton. It's also been a difficult location: more than once in the interview he mentioned having to chase away drug dealers and prostitutes. 

"We're trying to do the best we can here," Estephan said. "My hands are tied."

It would be a long process to determine whether the Armory met the city's criteria for a blighted property, Bradley said. But if Easton's Vacant Property Review Board were to make that decision, the city Redevelopment Authority would essentially come in and take over the property. 

Estephan remains confident the building has a future as more than just storage.

"One day we'll find the right people," he said.

"It'll be a good match," added Melissa, his wife. "It'll be a fit."


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