SCRANTON -- Scranton City Hall is like a trip back in time, maybe a reminder of the city's better times. The elevator has the same retro feel, without the charm though.
After stalling one too many times, the mayor decided to shut it down for repairs.
"For years the elevator has broken down repeatedly. It's broken down several times since I've been here. It's painful to have it down, but it needs to be repaired. There's no other way out," Mayor Bill Courtright said.
There are a lot of steps at City Hall. Some employees have had to take four, five, six trips up and down just to do their jobs. To make it easier for them, but also to accommodate the folks that have to visit city hall, they came up with a plan B.
That plan B is plan basement. Employees built a temporary office in what used to be the police station. A representative from human resources and the licensing and permits office will be stationed there for several weeks while the elevator is being repaired.
"It's different. It's quiet. We don't have the comforts of home, but it's quiet," said benefits coordinator Debbie Torba.
Torba said they will roll with the punches, working on pop-up tables instead of desks for a while. Signs point people to the temporary offices. Four flights of stairs may be too much to ask for some folks.
"It's going to be an inconvenience for some people, but I think it will be a good thing. I'm lucky I haven't gotten stuck in the elevator!" Torba added.
City officials said the elevator repairs will take four to six weeks and cost about $60,000 dollars.