Arguments in 'castle house' appeal set for April 28

Jeff Horvath, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·2 min read

Mar. 22—SCRANTON — An appeal seeking to save the "castle house" in Green Ridge from potential demolition has a new court date.

Lackawanna County Judge James Gibbons will hear arguments on the appeal April 28.

The Scranton Housing Appeals board voted in July to reinstate a demolition order for the unique yet dilapidated structure at 1021 Richmont St., which the city condemned in 2013. It's known colloquially as the "castle house" for its cone-capped turret.

The man responsible for the property, Yury Abdurakhmanov of Wurtsboro, New York, filed an appeal in August in Lackawanna County Court seeking to have the board's decision reversed and the demolition order stayed.

"Demolition of the home is an extreme remedy under the circumstances of the case and would constitute an unwarranted forfeiture to the estate," Abdurakhmanov's attorney, Wieslaw T. Niemoczynski, wrote in court documents.

Oral arguments were originally scheduled for March 31, but Gibbons signed an order March 1 granting Niemoczynski's motion for an extension. The order extended the time to file his brief by 30 days and rescheduled arguments for 2:30 p.m. on April 28, via Zoom.

Abdurakhmanov's sister, the late Russian artist Elena Flerova, bought the house in 2002. But the condition of the long-vacant building deteriorated over time, frustrating some neighbors who consider it a nuisance, eyesore and potential hazard. The city issued the initial demolition order in 2015.

Neighbor Robert McKeon, who lives behind the house, described the property's condition as deplorable last year in testimony to the Housing Appeals Board, which voted that evening to reinstate the order.

In court documents filed subsequent to Abdurakhmanov's appeal, board solicitor Michael Genello noted Abdurakhmanov presented the board with no competent evidence the house is structurally sound.

"To the contrary, there was evidence presented as to the deterioration of the house, including the unsoundness of the rear porch structure," he wrote. "Evidence was presented that the house constitutes a nuisance to the community, in particular neighbors."

The board's decision to reinstate the demolition order is fully supported by facts and the law, Genello contends.

Reached Wednesday, Niemoczynski said "the house is sound and capable of renovation — and it really is a lovely house."

Contact the writer: jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141; @jhorvathTT on Twitter.