PLAINS TOWNSHIP -- It appears the old Valley Crest Nursing Home near Wilkes-Barre is one step closer to being sold.
Luzerne County Council is entering into a sales agreement with a private developer who will likely turn the property into some sort of retail complex.
The developer is keeping quiet about what he has planned for Valley Crest, but county council says they hope the sale of the property will bring more jobs to the area.
The rundown and abandoned building housed the Luzerne County Valley Crest Nursing Home, but it's sat vacant for years and Luzerne County had difficulty selling it after several deals fell through. But county council this week approved a sales agreement with local real estate developer Tamburro R.E. Development and Management.
Councilman Jim Bobeck voted for the sale.
"The county was able to get rid of a property it does not utilize or find any buyer for a long time," Bobeck said.
The sale of the property includes the building as well as about 61 acres of land where county council says the developer will build townhouses and commercial retail spaces.
"The developer has a proven record of established business creation around the area and so we feel very good about their services and we feel very good moving forward," Bobeck said.
Some residents believe Luzerne County will benefit from those new homes and businesses paying taxes.
"I think it's a good idea as long they're going to put good use to it, like make a facility or townhouses out of it," said Tom Hogan of Plymouth Township.
Other residents say the county could have sold Valley Crest for than the $2.1 million Tamburro offered. The county recently assessed it at $18 million and last year appraised it at $4 million.
"When you sell something for peanuts that's worth $18 million, I think the public should be really suspect of that," said Fred Heller of Mountain Top.
"I was outraged, totally outraged. I could not believe they would do such a thing," said Brian Shiner of Kingston.
But council says the deal benefits taxpayers and will be a job creator.
"To get $2 million and the tax base, I think it's a no-brainer," said Luzerne County Council member Rick Morelli.
For that agreement to go through, both sides will need to close on it by December 15.