WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — About 150 tenants fill the Pajama Factory complex along Park Avenue and Rose Streets in Williamsport.
The former factory now holds dozens of businesses, offices, and apartments.
During a recent inspection, the city's Bureau of Codes determined the complex was unsafe because parts of the sprinkler system were outdated.
The city ordered the owner to upgrade parts of the system. Until those repairs can be made, owner Mark Winkelman is paying $1,000 a day for what is called a fire watch service to monitor the former factory for fire hazards and safety concerns.
"It's unsustainable it—it's too much money it's—it adds up to 50% of our gross revenue, has to go out to a third party to walk around with a walkie-talkie and find a fire where it's never gonna happen," said Mark Winkelman, owner and developer, Pajama Factory.
On Tuesday, during a meeting with the city's uniform construction code board of appeals, Winkelman told the board he cannot afford to keep paying the fire watch, or pay the millions needed to upgrade the system.
He's hoping he can come to an agreement with the city to keep the property open. "It's an old building; the old building codes have changed, and they evolve, and we're trying to catch up to that," said Winkelman.
The appeals board plans to make a decision on how to move forward within the next few days.
If the board rejects Winkelman's appeal, he will either have to continue paying that fire watch service or face eviction in Williamsport.