The Lackawanna County Commissioners have entered into an agreement to purchase the former Globe Store from the Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO) to transform the historic structure into the Lackawanna County Government Center at The Globe, consolidating the majority of departments and services under one roof for easy access for the general public and revitalizing the core of central city Scranton.
“This is a historic day for Lackawanna County and its 214,000 residents. We have completed the work that was started over five years ago to have all of our services under one roof in a convenient and friendly location. And this transaction is going to be budget neutral,” said Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley. “The purchase of the historic Globe Store is a major step in the County’s revitalization and extends the efficiency of County government. It is about time the taxpayers of Lackawanna County owned their own building.”
“The questions that I posed have been answered,” explained Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings. “We need to spend wisely and get out from under the myriad of leases we have and focus on one main structure to serve the public in a facility that has access to public transportation. Our residents will now be able to do business in one location and not have to go from building to building throughout the County.”
“The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is pleased to have worked with the Commissioners on this important venture,” said Bob Durkin, president of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “In addition to the clear benefits to the citizens of Lackawanna County, this project has the potential to trigger substantial private sector commercial, retail and residential development throughout Scranton’s central business district.”
Today’s announcement signals a fresh start for downtown Scranton. The project will breathe new life into the core, create foot traffic to help the Mall to grow, and generate more opportunities for our small shops, businesses and eateries.
This development is the result of a culmination of a great deal of due diligence research. Multiple buildings throughout greater Scranton and the surrounding area were inspected before arriving at the decision that this was the right fit.
The six-floor structure will house the departments currently located in the County Administration Building along with several offices situated in leased space throughout greater Scranton and Mayfield. It is anticipated that the project will be fully completed and ready for occupancy in eighteen months to two years.
The Globe Store was founded in 1883 by John Simpson and John Cleland in Danville, PA. The store eventually moved to Scranton and gained local fame. The Scranton Globe Store was the Cleland, Simpson & Taylor on Wyoming Avenue. The store prospered until the opening of the nearby Viewmont Mall in the 1960s. In the 1960s, Wanamaker’s purchased the Globe.
The Mall At Steamtown opened on October 23, 1993 with the Globe as one of the anchor stores, connected to the new shopping center by a pedestrian bridge. Unfortunately, the Globe closed its doors in April 1994, laying off 400 workers. The building was converted to office space and was occupied by Diversified Information Technologies, who recently relocated to a building on Montage Mountain, leaving a majority of the structure vacant.
The purchase of the Globe site will be a major economic driver for downtown Scranton. It will encourage additional development around the building and contribute to the resurgence of The Mall At Steamtown. It is the intention of the Commissioners to relocate into the Globe and return the County Administration Building back to the tax rolls.
Bringing life into the renovated Globe Store, to be known as The Lackawanna County Government Center at The Globe, will be “Investing In Our Future.”
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