SCRANTON — No longer overlooked.
The city plans to repair the Lookout on East Mountain, a roadside scenic overlook dating to 1938 that in recent years has suffered bouts of vandalism and damage.
City engineer Reilly Associates estimates that stonework repairs and installing security cameras and lighting and other facets would cost nearly $315,000, according to a project cost estimate provided to Scranton City Council on Tuesday from Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti’s administration.
Having previously inquired about the condition of the damaged Lookout, council members were happy to see an estimate in hand and wondered when the administration intends to fund and begin the work. On Thursday, city Business Administrator Eileen Cipriani told The Times-Tribune the city will seek a state Local Share Account grant to pay for the project.
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A trash barrel in a walkway spot where a large binocular viewfinder used to stand at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. The telescope was hit by a car in July and removed for repairs. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
Signs at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
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Damaged stonework at the Lookout scenic overlook on Moosic Street (Route 307) in Scranton on East Mountain on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
The Lookout along Route 307 was constructed under the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help create jobs during the Great Depression. For the past 87 years, the roadside attraction along Moosic Street (Route 307) has offered panoramic vistas of Scranton and West Mountain, and beyond.
In recent years the site has suffered from generally being trashed by vandals knocking loose many of the stone blocks of the structure and tagging it with graffiti. City crews remove graffiti with power-washing and regularly remove trash and litter. But other vandalism involving dislodging stone blocks from masonry appears to have worsened in recent years.
During summer 2024, residents Marie Schumacher and Victor Alberigi separately raised concerns at council meetings about the damaged condition of the Lookout. At that time, the Lookout had numerous gaps in its long wall, mostly along its top, but also within the base. Round, stepped-up sections on both ends also had sections of stonework gone or crumbling, as well as several top stones missing. A surveillance camera existed on the southern side of the site, but council was not sure if it worked.
At council’s meeting Tuesday, Schumacher said more stone blocks are missing and the Lookout’s large telescopic viewfinder also is gone.
“I would like to know what happened to the large telescope that was at the Lookout on 307 … it was there and now it’s not. Do we know what happened to it?” Schumacher asked.
Council members did not know but said they would find out. Councilman Tom Schuster noted he visited the Lookout in the summer and the telescopic viewfinder was there as usual.
Cipriani on Thursday said a car hit the viewfinder in July and broke the base, and the city had Tower Optical from Connecticut remove it.
On its website, Tower Optical says it has made its “iconic binocular viewers” since 1932 and the viewfinders “have cemented themselves as a piece of American history” as fixtures at scenic destinations across North America, including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Niagara Falls and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was unclear if the Lookout’s binocular viewer was made by Tower Optical, but that firm is the vendor repairing it, Cipriani said.
“The city will install safety measures to ensure that it will not be hit again,” Cipriani said of the viewfinder via email.
In 2014, the viewfinder at the Lookout was stolen. At that time, authorities were not sure when those binoculars were ripped out from the concrete at the scenic overlook, according to archives of The Times-Tribune.
The city engineer also suggests trying to get the Lookout placed on the National Register of Historic Places, she said.
“If this designation is granted, then the repairs would have to adhere to their guidelines,” Cipriani said.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilman Bill King said the $314,768 estimate by Reilly Associates for repairs to the Lookout includes repointing masonry of the stone walls; additional stone repairs; repaving the parking area; stone sidewalk repairs; additional lighting; guiderail transition replacement; security cameras; mobilization; and traffic control.
“I’m thrilled to see that Reilly Associates did go up there and at least prepare some estimates for the Lookout renovations,” King said.
Other council members agreed and wondered what would be the plan to start and fund a restoration project.
“I’ve been harping about this for over two years,” Councilman Mark McAndrew said. “I want to know when it’s going to be funded, how it’s going to be funded. When does this become a reality so we can finally put this project in place and be done with it?”
Council President Gerald Smurl said administration members are expected to attend a council caucus Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to explain and address various upcoming capital projects.
Schumacher had spoken about the damage to the Lookout at three different council meetings during summer 2024. She had suggested installing lighting as a possible way to curb vandalism. At the June 4, 2024, council meeting, Alberigi said he was saddened by the condition of the Lookout and noted his grandfather helped build it.
“It’s a shame that that lookout point gets just absolutely abused like that. It’s uncalled for,” Alberigi had told council. “That could be a nicer place for the public than it currently is. It’s obviously a beautiful view. There’s a historical aspect to it,” and he hoped the city can “bring back what used to be some of its glory.”
At Tuesday’s council meeting, Councilwoman Jessica Rothchild said surveillance cameras and lighting are necessary steps toward preventing some vandalism, but damage to the Lookout’s stonework is more extensive and expensive than anticipated.
“I’m glad that the engineer had gotten out there and gave us the estimate. I’m not happy with the amount being over $300,000 — that’s a little bit of a sticker shock,” Rothchild said. “But seeing the work that would be put into it, I think would be worth it for the city because it really is a great spot.”
The Works Progress Adminstration (WPA) built the stone wall around the Lookout on East Mountain in 1938. The cornerstone of the wall has been vandalized, in addition to other sections of the overlook on Rt. 307 in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Lookout on East Mountain in Scranton offers a view of the city. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The stone wall that makes up the Lookout has been vandalized over time Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Lookout on East Mountain in Scranton once had viewers installed for people to look out to the city. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The stones that make up the Lookout wall are written on Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A vehicle passes the Lookout on Route 307 on East Mountain in Scranton Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The stone wall that makes up the Lookout has been vandalized over time Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
The Lookout scenic overlook along Moosic Street (Route 307) on East Mountain on Oct. 19, 2021. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A view of a crane and Geisinger Community Medical Center through a viewfinder at the Lookout scenic overlook along Moosic Street (Route 307) on East Mountain on Oct. 19, 2021. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A view of a crane and Geisinger Community Medical Center through a viewfinder at the Lookout scenic overlook along Moosic Street (Route 307) on East Mountain on Oct. 19, 2021. (JIM LOCKWOOD / STAFF PHOTO)
A viewfinder and a view of Scranton from the Lookout along Route 307 on East Mountain during an arctic bomb of frigid air on Jan. 5, 2018. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)
A snowy viewfinder and view of Scranton at the Lookout scenic overlook along Moosic Street (Route 307) on Feb. 21, 2011. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty with People for a Better Scranton members Mary Ellen Coleman and William Egan at the Lookout along Moosic Street (Route 307) on East Mountain on Oct. 4, 2002. (TIMES-TRIBUNE / FILE PHOTO)
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The Works Progress Adminstration (WPA) built the stone wall around the Lookout on East Mountain in 1938. The cornerstone of the wall has been vandalized, in addition to other sections of the overlook on Rt. 307 in Scranton. (SEAN MCKEAG / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Originally Published: October 12, 2025 at 12:00 AM EDT