Paragon to be shut down?!?!?!

[XTC Jpr13]

check out the link from their site:

http://paragonap.com/forum/showthrea...1299#post61299 (http://paragonap.com/forum/showthread.php?p=61299#post61299)


http://www.jeepforum.com/gallery/files//1/0/suicide1.gif

[XTC Jpr13]

ok, since paragons site is down at the moment ill give the general gist of it.

Paragon lease's the land, and they are on yr 3 of 35 on the lease.

the lease holder wants them out of the lease and they are attempting to show that paragon violated some oart of the lease(i think)

the lease holder then want to sell the land for 30 million!

[XEON]

What are the details on it? Who made the post on Paragon, was it Jr or any Paragon employee?

Rod, you have 30 mill around? I got a few bucks to chip in! :wtg:

Scott, if you get anymore details, let use know!

[XTC Jpr13]

the thread wasstarted by PAPMGMT and those are about all of the "details" that they told. they are fighting to keep their lease and the will continue to stay open for now it said

hopefully their site is back up soon, then the link will work

[XEON]

Thanks Scott. You are quick on news!

This would suck... But if they do have to sell it, hopefully Paragon will buy it. If they cant afford it. Hopefully someone that is into wheeling will buy it and not make it a big buisness crap.

[XTC Jpr13]

in case paragons site goes down again, here is the post:

Before the rumor mill starts to fly. We want to be up front with all our customers and supporters. Currently Paragon and PCA Corporation (land owner) is in legal dispute over our lease agreement for this property. We have done everything within our powers to honor our agreements with the land holding company, but they are trying to evict us from the premesis so they can sell the property. We are still in business and will remain in business as long as possible and we are fighting this with every measure available.

We know the next question is how can you help. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything you can do. We would however, appreciate everyone's hopes and prayers for a good outcome.

Thank you for your continued support.

Kyle & Stephanie Knosp






from reading through the thread, they do not seem to have the funds to buy the land at the 30+ million price tag

[Jeepin'PA]

That would be aweful. Then where would we go to wheel legally besides RC. $30 million is a big chunk of change. PAP can't buy it, but some people were mentioning trying to get a major 4X4 corporation to buy it. But I don't see that happening.

[jfrdog]

Damn those moneybag, 4x4 hating, 22" rim Escalade driving snobs. I wish there was something I could do!!!!

[badzook]

Seems to me they could negotiate some kind of settlement that could benefit alll of us. I don't see why they can't move the park to behind the old railroad bed and still provide a great place to wheel... The only problem with that is they would have to draw up a new lease agreement & it probably will have a get out clause for sure. I doubt the developer really wants to buy all of the land...... It is afterall an old mining site with lots of issues to be resolved before it could be developed.. There's always options. I just hope they have the patience and resources to see it through.

Everyone keep an eye on their forum and pitch in if you can. Things happen when we all work together.

[XEON]

From what I have been reading and hearing. The only usable land is between the two white builings in this picture. So they would lose the parking lot mostly... That would be fine if they just sold that land. Maybe have a paved road to another parking lot area... Just ideas...
http://www.tri-state4x4.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/normal_PAP_1-20-07.jpg (http://www.tri-state4x4.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/PAP_1-20-07.jpg)
Click to enlarge.
Imagery from maps.google.com

[badzook]

That's exactly what I was thinking. A simple easement down to the staging area would do it. The buyer of that property shouldn't care about that especially since most of the wheeling happens on the weekends anyway...

I'll bet there's way more to it though. We'll just have to wait and see.

[matt6669]

There definitely has to be entirely more to this if:

A. the land owners are selling it for 30 million dollars
B. No developer in their right mind would pay 30 million dollars to use that little tiny piece of property shown above in the picture, its just not worth it especially since theres so much open space in hazleton as it is.
C. If the land owners are trying to get out of their lease agreement that means they pretty much have an offer on the table (30 mil) and someone who is very motivated to buy but like badzook said, its all mining area so it would take a lot of work to develope it.

It'll be very interesting to see how this pans out. And if they do lose their lease agreement it will be VERY interesting to see what happens to the local wheeling community. If they were to close the only place left to wheel aafter jan 1st of 2008 would be RC unless pine barrens is closed already im not really up on those sites.

thanks for the post scott this should get interesting

[XEON]

I think the 30 mill is for the whole property.

Here is the estimated land. Arrow pointing at PAP parking lot.
http://www.tri-state4x4.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/normal_pap.jpg (http://www.tri-state4x4.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10003/pap.jpg)
Image from a post by BillaVista at Pirate4x4.com

[ROCKREADYXJ]

I think the 30 mill is for the whole property.

Here is the estimated land. Arrow pointing at PAP parking lot.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/misc/pap.jpg
Image from a post by BillaVista at Pirate4x4.com

wheres the pic? I dont see

[matt6669]

wheres the pic? I dont see

ditto on my side as well

[XEON]

wheres the pic? I dont see
Fixed the link.

[Divinitous]

Check out the online petition.
http://petitionspot.com/petitions/savePAP/

[fyrfyter43]

Well, there was a new judge assigned to the case after the judge called out sick yesterday. But it still doesn't look too good for PAP. They are appealing an earlier ruling that they have in fact violated their lease. That ruling also ordered their eviction.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16573420.htm

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/16577632.htm

And this article lets us in on the plans for the land. Unfortunately, it looks like Hazleton has alot to gain by the eviction of Overland Enterprises and Paragon Adventure Park.

http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4212&Itemid=2

[Jeepin'PA]

It isn't looking good.:( I guess I will be holding off on that Vanco brake system I was going to get.

[XEON]

This is not good at all. Thanks for the updated articles. Keep us posted!

[fyrfyter43]

Some of the latest news, mostly what we've already heard, but I thought everybody would like to be kept abreast of the situation.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/16585812.htm

http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4224&Itemid=2

[XEON]

Thank you for the posts. Aparently PAP lost the apeal today.

The way I see it, the airport is going to get built, and probally really fast. Kyle will have to clean the park out soon, I would assume.


Kyle, owner of Overland Enterprises (PAP), is asking support from everyone in the sport. Please follow this link to Paragons website.
http://paragonap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11822

If anyone has better news then I can bring, please feel free to post up.

Again, please help and support Paragon Adventure Park. Its a very important park to the east coast wheelers. We will take a big hit if they get shut down.

Thank you.

[XTC Jpr13]

well guys, this is the last weekend aswe know it for Paragon AP


from this article: http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=6019663

"At a hearing in Luzerne County Court Wednesday afternoon, a judge decided that Paragon violated its lease of the land. He ordered Paragon to be off the property by Monday. Knosp tells Newswatch 16 that he will comply with the judge's order, but plans to appeal."

so after the monthly ride this weekend the gates will be shut. All those that can make it should go to show their support!

[fyrfyter43]

At a hearing in Luzerne County Court Wednesday afternoon, a judge decided that Paragon violated its lease of the land. He ordered Paragon to be off the property by Monday. Knosp tells Newswatch 16 that he will comply with the judge's order, but plans to appeal.

I don't know how true that is. None of the other articles I've found have mentioned that.

http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/16594267.htm

http://www.standardspeaker.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4233&Itemid=2&PHPSESSID=cf4b4effbad4add0c89d09bf5d61bbe6

[matt6669]

“Are we going to let some ATV advocates hold up the biggest economic development project in Northeastern Pennsylvania? I hope not. … I’m hoping at the end of the day, there’s a way to resolve this,” Eachus said.


Ever go to a Devils game when the ref makes a bad call and they do a "ASSSSSSSHOOOLLLLEEEEE" Chant, well i feel its pretty fitting after a comment like that!

As upset as I am that it sounds like Paragon will loose this battle, I'm not as upset as I could be because I know kyle will find another piece of land and we'll all have it up and running in no time.

[fyrfyter43]

I would strongly suggest that everybody make every effort to attend Saturday's ride, to show state Rep. Todd Eachus, D-Butler Township, that we are not a "very small, marginal issue".


Quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Asked about Paragon, Eachus said the lease dispute is “a very small, marginal issue compared to the scope and the size” of the airport project. He said a “small ATV and recreational park” is not the focus of his concerns, given the “future-altering” potential of the airport project.

“Are we going to let some ATV advocates hold up the biggest economic development project in Northeastern Pennsylvania? I hope not. … I’m hoping at the end of the day, there’s a way to resolve this,” Eachus said.'


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[XEON]

It looks like a judge ruled that Paragon will stay open until the apeal is exhausted. So I would assume Paragon is still open! Keep wheeling!:spinrhead

[Jeepin'PA]

That's awesome. Where did you get that info Justin. Do you have a link to it?

[XEON]

That's awesome. Where did you get that info Justin. Do you have a link to it?
I read it on the Paragon forum. Someone copied and pasted a news article. I will try and find the article.

Edit: I found this:
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/news/16640607.htm

[Jeepin'PA]

Best news we have heard in a long time. Maybe I'll get to try out the OBA I'm putting in the XJ sooner than later.

[NYWheeler]

Paragon is NOT open as of right now. They won a hearing which allows them on the property to get their property and prohibits the land owner from entering the property. Kyle moved the rest of his property including the trailer out today. As of right now Paragon is not open but they have control of the property until further hearings say otherwise. They have another court date for Thursday.

[fyrfyter43]

Yes, Kyle and Steph have control of the property. But the park is not open.

Here are the articles from today's papers.

From the Times Leader:

Paragon to keep land through appeals

By STEVE MOCARSKY smocarsky@timesleader.com

WILKES-BARRE – Paragon Adventure Park scored another victory in court Wednesday when a judge ruled that owner Kyle Knosp could keep possession of the land until all appeals on a lease issue have been exhausted.

Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Ann Lokuta made the ruling after hearing arguments on whether a preliminary injunction she imposed Tuesday, which barred Gladstone Partners L.P. from land occupied by the park, should remain in effect.

Gladstone – a group that wants to build a $1.6 billion cargo airport on land partly occupied by the offroad vehicle park – sued Knosp in June, claiming that he breached his 25-year lease with landowner PCA Corp. The Gladstone Partners want Paragon evicted so they can buy the land from PCA Corp.
Knosp denies breaching the lease and is appealing an eviction order issued by a lower court.

Gladstone had exercised the eviction order on Monday, padlocking the park gate and Knosp’s office trailer. Lokuta’s preliminary injunction on Tuesday returned park access to Knosp.

At the start of Wednesday’s hearing, Gladstone attorney Jill Moran, the county prothonotary, asked Lokuta to recuse herself because the Judicial Conduct Board interviewed Moran in its investigation that preceded the board filing misconduct charges against Lokuta in November.

Lokuta denied the motion, saying she has no prejudice toward Moran.
Knosp testified that he was being hurt financially by being denied access to the land.

After a cross-examination, Lokuta chastised Gladstone co-counsel Jonathan Lang for producing no witnesses of his own. She said she granted Wednesday’s hearing partly because Lang indicated he intended to call witnesses in the case.

Lang detailed six reasons why the injunction should be dismissed, including that Knosp failed to show immediate and irreparable harm to his business.
After taking the case under consideration, Lokuta issued a written order that grants Knosp access to the land and bars Gladstone from interfering with Paragon’s use of the land throughout the appeals process.

She also ordered Knosp to post a $7,648 bond to continue his appeal, rather than honor Gladstone’s request that Knosp post a $40 million bond. Lokuta said Gladstone produced no evidence that it intended to buy the land for $40 million.

Lycoming County Senior Judge Clinton Smith will hear arguments today on whether Knosp can proceed with another form of appeal in the case. Smith dismissed one appeal last week.


From the Standard Speaker:

Judge allows Paragon on land

Thursday, 08 February 2007 By JIM DINO

WILKES-BARRE – A Luzerne County judge Wednesday afternoon ordered the operator of an off-road vehicle park back on the land where he operated.

After a 90-minute hearing – and 30 minutes of deliberations – Luzerne County Common Pleas Judge Ann Lokuta ruled that Overland Enterprises, the operators of Paragon Adventure Park, be allowed back onto the 480-acre parcel of land where the park operated until Monday, when the developers of a proposed cargo airport, Gladstone Partners LLP, took possession of the land after Lycoming County Senior Judge Clifford Smith last week upheld the decision of District Judge Thomas Sharkey, which gave Gladstone possession of about 250 acres of Paragon’s parcel.

But the decision is just to allow Paragon back onto its land. Another appeal of Sharkey’s decision will be heard today at 11 a.m. before Senior Judge Smith, who is presiding in Luzerne County Court in the case.

Before the hearing, Kyle Knosp, the operator of Paragon, said on Monday that he turned over keys to locked gates to the property to Gladstone personnel, but locks were changed, and he could not get on the property temporarily – although he said he was subsequently allowed onto the property to remove his office trailer and six vehicles he owns.

In the decision, Lokuta said Gladstone could not deny Knosp access, nor could any property of Paragon’s be destroyed.

Further, Lokuta said Gladstone is “enjoined from interfering with the use of the leased premises” by Paragon.

But Paragon must post a bond for the $7,648.35 decision Luzerne County Judge Hugh Mundy ruled last fall be paid for back rent. And Paragon must submit its monthly rental payments to the court.

In the hearing, Knosp said he was allowed onto the property and recovered “about 75 percent” of his equipment. He said when he took over the nine-year-old park three years ago, he suffered from the previous owner not paying bills and had a hard time doing business with vendors.

Knosp also said he attempted to contact PCA Corp., the owner of the land, to lease another parcel, but could not contact them despite telephone calls and letters.

Lawyers for Gladstone argued that Paragon should not be allowed onto the property because it has not posted a $40 million bond.

Judge Lokuta asked why $40 million, and the lawyers explained that PCA offered to sell the land at $9,000 an acre to Knosp. At $9,000 an acre, the purchase price for 4,200 acres would have been $37,800,000. Knosp also leases about 400 acres from a local hunting club and another 100 acres from another landowner.

Knosp’s attorney, James Scallion, said PCA had offered the land to Knosp, but did not give details of its purchase to him, so it was not, in the eyes of the law, an offer.

Before Lokuta convened the hearing, she heard arguments on a recusal request by Gladstone’s attorneys.

Attorney Jill Moran asked the judge to excuse herself from the case because, in her position as county prothonotary, she could be called as a witness in connection with legal action pending against the judge. Moran also said she has been the chief counsel representing Gladstone in all court proceedings.

But Lokuta said she had no prejudice toward Moran and would hear the case and issue a ruling.

[XEON]

Thank you for the update. I guess a few people including myself got excited to hear the news.

[ROCKREADYXJ]

Well hope it opens soon!

[fyrfyter43]

From a couple of posts from Tammy on PAP's board, it doesn't sound like they'll re-open on that property.

We will be back up there today...Just keep watching the website and when they are ready to start the NEW PARAGON...they will post on here..THEN THEY CAN USE ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET...

I can't stress enough...THANK YOU to everybody who has helped Kyle and Steph and please continue to support them...THANK YOU.

[fyrfyter43]

From a couple of posts from Tammy on PAP's board, it doesn't sound like they'll re-open on that property.

But then again, I could be wrong. Here's what Kyle posted on PAP's board just before lunchtime:

There is a chance we will be open this weekend if we can find a company willing to set up a tent for registration. We will keep you informed. Thank you.

[jfrdog]

#1 Today, 09:56 PM
PAPMGNT
Administrator Join Date: May 2003
Location: Hazleton, PA
Posts: 196

Paragon is Open

The park will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
__________________
Paragon Adventure Park
info@paragonap.com
(570) 384-0550

http://paragonap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11959

[matt6669]

you would be correct, kyle is kicking ass and taking names and in the process he will be open this weekend

http://paragonap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11959

Unfortunetly I can not attend again this weekend grrr

Matt

[XEON]

Wahoo good to hear! Anyone going Sunday and have a seat? :)

[jfrdog]

Wahoo good to hear! Anyone going Sunday and have a seat? :)
Maybe. Not sure if i'm putting in my lift or not. :bdance:

[XEON]

A nice read:
http://www.timesleader.com/mld/timesleader/16727199.htm

Quote from Times Leader, for future reference.
Posted on Sun, Feb. 18, 2007

Few winners, many losers in proposed cargo airport

The recent announcement that Gladstone Partners, state Rep. Eachus and the Luzerne County Commissioners intend to develop a cargo airport in lower Luzerne County should be a cause for concern to area residents.

Like many past economic development initiatives, it sounds at first like the answer to our prayers for a brighter future. But as the saying goes, “be careful what you ask for, you just might get it.”

The uncertain possibility of thousands of jobs obscures the many consequences of this project.

The project would obliterate thousands of acres of undeveloped open space. Much of this acreage is globally rare pitch pine barrens that are habitat for rare and endangered species.

The fact that Paragon Adventure Park is being evicted from the property is only the first instance of what will be sacrificed to an airport. That business attracts outdoor enthusiasts who bring economic benefits to the community and utilize environmental resources without destroying them. That is the kind of economic development our community leaders should be supporting.

Apparently, little of this resonates in a community whose leaders believe in jobs at any cost. The cost of this ideology has been staggering: hundreds of acres contaminated by polluting industries and untold numbers of residents afflicted with environmental health problems.

The social consequences of a rapid population surge caused by the Keystone Opportunity Zone program are only now being understood.

These past experiences in economic development gone awry should resonate within the community. Explosive population growth caused by a cargo airport will overwhelm public services and infrastructure and will extinguish whatever remains of the natural environment and our quality of life.

Crime, congestion and social anomie will plague newcomers and natives alike. If the airport is built the only real winners will be Gladstone Partners.

They will make money on the development scheme even if the airport fails to attract any jobs. After foisting off responsibility for operational success onto the county, taxpayers will pay soaring costs for expanding infrastructure, debt and municipal services. This is what happened in Belleville, Ill., where developers lured a county into building a cargo airport and nobody used it.

Commendably, Times Leader reporters and columnist Mark Guydish have raised some of these concerns, as have Alan Gregory and L.A. Tarone of the Hazleton Standard-Speaker.

And letters to the editor in both papers from patrons of Paragon Adventures and Eagle Rock residents indicate that the community, if not its leaders, recognize the folly of this proposal.

Mr. Guydish and the Times Leader have also reminded us of the roles of Attorney Powell and Mr. Zappella in the Juvenile Detention Center scheme. That the commissioners would hook up with this pair of profiteers again is beyond understanding.

But it seems that nothing is beyond belief in Luzerne County and Hazleton. The fact that former Mayor Marsicano has flown back to Hazleton like a vampire bat should be enough to make rational people put a wooden stake through the heart of this monstrous idea.

And just the fact that this proposal was raised from the dead in complete secrecy should be the greatest cause for alarm. Schuylkill County Commissioners (where most of the property is located), Hazle and East Union township supervisors, Hazleton Mayor Barletta and apparently even Congressman Kanjorski were left out of the loop.

Worse yet, residents and taxpayers that will suffer the social and environmental consequences of this boondoggle weren’t deemed worthy of providing input. That alone indicates that this proposal is not for our benefit. One can only hope that community outrage and state and federal agencies can put this project back in the coffin where it belongs.
Drew Magill Sugarloaf