Photo by Becky Polaski The ribbon cutting ceremony for the St. Marys Apartments was held on Wednesday afternoon. The apartments are located on the second and third floors of the Canadensis Building on Erie Avenue.

By Becky Polaski

Staff Writer

An open house and ribbon cutting ceremony were held yesterday afternoon at the St. Marys Apartments, which are located on the second and third floors of the Canadensis Building on Erie Avenue. According to Bob Yoder, President of Yoder Builders of Turbotville, the word Canadensis means “elk” in German. 

The construction of the apartments was originally scheduled for completion in April, but Yoder explained it was delayed by the weather. He also noted that he has other construction projects planned for the area as well. He indicated that he hopes to have more information on these future projects within the next three months. Yoder also expressed his approval of the completed apartment building.

“I think it went nice,” Yoder said. “The building is beautiful.”

Individuals touring the apartment complex were able to view several of the different styles of apartments within the building, including two bedroom end units, two bedroom middle units, two bedroom handicapped accessible units, and one bedroom middle units.

There are a total of 26 apartments in the building. Eleven of the apartments have already been rented and several other applications have been received for the remaining vacant units. Four of the apartments are reserved for individuals who meet specific income requirements and all have already been rented.  

All of the apartments are non-smoking and include fully-equipped kitchens complete with cabinets, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave and garbage disposal. Each also has gas hot water baseboard heat, through the wall air conditioning units, tilt in windows with blinds and hardware, washer and dryer hook-ups and a balcony. StoveTop FireStop devices are also installed in each of the apartments.

For the open house, select apartments were furnished by Suzy’s to give individuals an idea of how they could be decorated.

Monthly rent for each apartment includes the cost of heating, water, sewer and trash removal. Apartment residents are responsible for costs associated with television, phone and electric.

The apartments, which were built in cooperation with Yoder Builders, DCED, County National Bank, and the HOME program, are located above storefronts that will soon house commercial businesses including Career Link. The business portion of the building is not yet completed and at least one storefront is still available for rent.

Local public officials and board members, as well as residents of the buildingand members of the public, attended the ribbon cutting ceremony. Representatives for Gov. Ed Rendell, Sen. Joe Scarnati and Rep. Matt Gabler were also present for the ceremony.