Aug 3, 2003 By Amy Karpinsky 4 min read

One of the two local state legislators who could introduce legislation allowing the sale of the property surrounding the Great Meadows Amphitheater in Wharton Township is amenable to the idea. State Rep. Larry Roberts (D-South Union) said Friday that although he believes it is up to the local players to get an agreement in place, if legislation is necessary to finalize the deal, he will “probably get it done.”

“I think it’s a good project, and I think everything will be falling into place,” Roberts said.

Darwin “Sonny” Herring, the owner of the Woodland Zoo in Wharton Township, has expressed an interest in purchasing the 121 deed-restricted acres surrounding the dormant amphitheater to serve as the new site for his zoo. Herring plans to move his zoo, which is located on about 7 acres and contains about 100 animals, to the property surrounding the amphitheater. He also wants to lease the amphitheater to use for animal demonstrations in conjunction with the zoo.

Although uses on the 6.1 acres that include the 1,500-seat amphitheater are not restricted, the 121 acres around the site fall under restrictions because the property was obtained by Fayette County using state Project 70 Act funds.

Larry Williamson, director of the Bureau of Recreation and Conservation for the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, has said the proposed use falls into one of the allowable Project 70 categories of conservation, recreation or open space use, but legislation still must be approved to allow the sale.

Earlier, he sent a letter warning the county commissioners against proceeding with the sale without approval. Possible repercussions include the loss of state grant funding, fines and penalties of about $130,000, and a possible injunction against the sale filed by the state.

This project marks the second time in a year that the county has attempted to sell the property. Last year, Commissioner Ronald M. Nehls spearheaded an effort to have deed restrictions lifted so the entire property could be sold to Fayette Films LLC to use as a movie production studio.

However, Joanne Hanley of the National Park Service and others opposed the studio because of its proximity to Fort Necessity, and neither Roberts nor state Sen. Richard Kasunic (D-Dunbar) introduced the necessary legislation to lift the restrictions. This time around, Hanley said, everybody is talking, and she is “very pleased with the conversations with Herring and Senator Kasunic.”

Joe Hardy, the owner of 84 Lumber and Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa who is on the fall Republican ballot for county commissioner, also has expressed support for the proposal. He could not be reached for comment Friday.

Roberts said he has spoken with Nehls and commission Chairman Vincent A. Vicites, and everything seems to be falling into place.

“It sounds like they’re doing a better job than the last time,” Roberts said. He said that although the legislators got blamed for halting the project last time, it really fell apart on a local level.

Williamson has agreed to schedule a meeting for later this month to discuss the proposal. Roberts said he plans to attend the meeting, which he anticipates will be held to finalize plans. However, Roberts said legislation might not be possible until early next year. He said that in the meantime, the county might be able to enter into a lease agreement with Herring.

Since legislation might not get passed until next year, Roberts said the county and Herring could sign a lease for the property until the legislation is approved.

Herring earlier said that he had a timeline to follow, but he was pleased with the progress to date.

When asked about potentially having a zoo on the property, Roberts said, “Almost anything would be a good use at the site. It’s been a white elephant for so long.”

Nehls has advocated holding a meeting to clarify that the county is indeed interested in selling the property. He said Friday that he hadn’t yet read Williamson’s letter, and he does not want to do anything in defiance of anybody.

Nehls said if entering into a sales agreement would violate the law, he would reconsider holding a special meeting. Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh backs Nehls’ plan for a special meeting and wants to sell the property to Herring.

Vicites has said he wants to sell the property, but he wants to ensure the county follows the law.

Herring previously said that various organizations are on board for the project. However, Phil Coleman of the local chapter of the Sierra Club said Friday that his organization opposes any transaction that violates Project 70 requirements. Coleman also said he didn’t agree with Williamson’s assessment that the zoo falls under the restrictions.

Kasunic did not return calls Friday afternoon seeking comment.