Businessman pitches development plan to Point Marion council
POINT MARION – Borough council welcomed a local businessman Wednesday night to hear plans for senior apartments and a possible health club. Dewey Stillwagon presented his plans for the apartments, though he noted that they weren’t completed. He is looking to build 12 apartment on the second floor of the old Point Marion School, which he has been renovating for the past five years. Most of the units will be patterned after a more upscale system used in Morgantown, W.Va., with meals and services offered to tenants.
The plans to create three double-bedroom units and nine one-bedroom units will include other changes, including a new roof and an elevator to make the apartments accessible to handicapped residents.
Stillwagon said estimates on the work are still coming in from subcontractors, so he said he was unable to give a fair guess on rental costs for the apartments.
As part of his plans, Stillwagon said the health club portion of the project would be handled differently.
He proposed to begin the recreation facility as a non-profit entity so that when it is completed and paid off – possibly within five years of construction -the borough would be willing to take over the club.
To that end, he asked that council set up a committee composed of three residents and councilmen O. Roger Kennedy and Ted Shaffer to help draft plans on what type of setup the senior population would want.
Stillwagon said a committee would be needed to address the needs of the future users because, “I really don’t know what is wanted.”
For planning purposes, he said he has looked at hot tubs, a walking track and a full line of exercise equipment. If both ventures are successful, Stillwagon said, about 80 percent of the building would be in use.
“This will only work if I have the support of the community,” Stillwagon said.
In his favor the Small Business Development Council and his banking sources are eager to work with the community and Stillwagon to see both projects to fruition.
As a step in that direction, council voted to give Stillwagon a letter indicating that there are adequate sewage and water services available for both projects.
“Theoretically, I am excited about this and we don’t even have concrete plans as yet,” said Councilman Joe Murphy.
The business plan, being prepared by the University of Pittsburgh, is due for completion in the coming weeks.
Council also conducted the following business:
– Thanked the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars for their contributions to work completed at the honor roll.
The board also commended Mayor Robert Wolfe for his work in coordinating volunteers and other donations, like topsoil, for the honor roll.
– Finalized an agreement to name Noah’s Ark of Fayette County as animal control agents for the borough. Council voted at last month’s meeting to ratify the agreement, subject to solicitor Gene Grimm’s review.