KINGSTON - A post office will remain in Kingston, but it is about to move into a smaller space.
Scranton-based Penn Security Bank and Trust is close to completing the purchase of the Kingston Post Office building at 435 Wyoming Ave. for just under $500,000, said bank Controller Pat Scanlon and Vice President John Anderson on Wednesday.
The bank will occupy about 75 percent of the building and the post office will lease the remaining space, they said. Officials at Penn Security, which has 13 locations in Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe and Wayne counties, said they are looking to increase their footprint and they believe Kingston is a good market.
The U.S. Postal Service owned the Kingston location since 1939, said spokesman Ray Daiutolo.
"I really like the concept because we're preserving a long-standing facility on Wyoming Avenue that will continue to house the post office, which is a great service to our residents and region, as well as welcome a new bank from Lackawanna County that is opening its first office in Kingston," said Kingston Administrator Paul Keating.
Kingston Mayor Jim Haggerty recalled a few years ago, when post offices were downsizing all over the country, a national Realtor came to Kingston officials suggesting the building be sold and the post office be moved to a shopping center.
He said he is delighted the post office will remain at its present location.
"It's very convenient for our residents. It has been there for such a long time. It's a fixture in the community," Mr. Haggerty said. "It's great that we're still going to be able to call Kingston home to the post office."
Among the other upcoming developments in Kingston, the former Kingston Plaza at 601 Third Ave. is being renovated to house all agencies of the Jewish Community Alliance of Northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Jewish Community Center and the United Hebrew Institute.
Changes also are planned on another part of Wyoming Avenue. Dunmore-based Fidelity Bank purchased the former UGI headquarters at 247 Wyoming Ave. next door to the bank in 2012 for $650,000 and recently demolished the abandoned building which sat vacant for many years.
In the next few months, plans are in place to create more parking there and easier access for bank customers, said Raymond Fox, executive vice president and chief operating officer.
"We want to have more of a branch presence and this was a good opportunity to expand the space around the branch," Mr. Fox said.
Plans also include making some enhancements to the bank building, Mr. Fox said. Fidelity Bank has 11 branches in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
"We've been able to eliminate a blighted eyesore on one of our busiest corridors in the community," Mr. Keating said. "Hopefully in time, we'll see more than a parking lot and we'll see expansion of the bank or of nearby surrounding businesses."
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com