The addition of eight townhouses will provide a new housing opportunity in Scranton’s Hill Section.

Christian Nicolais of Clarks Summit-based CKPA LLC aims to have the properties along the 1000 block of Wheeler Avenue finished and available to rent by Sept. 1.

CKPA LLC purchased three parcels on Wheeler Avenue, including the site of the former Heil’s Place property, from Dunmore-based LJP Realty LLC for $250,000, according to a deed recorded Oct. 1, 2024. In additon to the townhouses, Nicolais also plans to construct a laundromat on the property.

Heil’s Place — which developed a reputation as a popular venue for local bands after John Heil took ownership of the business in 1973  — closed in January 2017.

Scranton City Planner Don King said plans for the townhouses were approved last summer and Nicolais received zoning approval for the laundromat several years ago.

“I drove by the vacant lot for many years and saw an opportunity for affordable housing and a laundromat,” he said. “I think the demographic was correct for those two opportunities. We’re going to improve that whole corner, which has been a bit of a nuisance to the neighbors and an eyesore to everyone who passes by.”

Nicolais noted crews began work on the property in June.

“It took a couple years to get through all the planning and permitting,” he said. “Once we got all that done, we were able to get the financing in place and move along with the project at a pretty rapid pace. Once the townhouses are finished and rented, we’ll start on the laundromat — hopefully by the middle of September or the beginning of October.”

Nicolais —  originally of Dunmore — grew tired of seeing the property sit empty and took action.

The two-bedroom, one-bathroom, 950-square-foot modular townhouses — constructed by Scranton-based Cornerstone Building Solutions — also each contain a kitchen and living room, Nicolais said.

The townhouses, listed by Marion Gatto of Lewith & Freeman Real Estate, will be available to rent for $2,000 per month, according to an online listing.

“We’re trying to keep the rents as low as possible,” Nicolais said. “In today’s market, that’s difficult to do. Construction is expensive. We have quite a bit of interest in them.”

Scranton City Council Vice President Patrick Flynn applauded Nicolais for increasing the housing stock in Scranton.

“The more housing units we can get inside the city, especially in the neighborhoods, the better chance we have to make this a great place for young individuals coming out of college looking to start a career and young families looking to put their roots down in the city,” he said. “The more opportunities we have to house them and give them opportunities to grow as individuals and families, the better we are.”