Jan 30, 2003 By Patty Shultz 2 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – The city redevelopment authority has taken ownership of a downtown property that will become its office headquarters within the next few months. Ralph Wombacker, authority executive director, announced Wednesday that he had obtained the keys to the West Crawford Avenue building that formerly housed the DeFurio Mongell Insurance Agency, which completed the transaction between the authority and Penn Line Service, the building owner.

Last year, the agency was offered the property and, after completing an engineering study to determine its overall condition, moved forward with the acquisition.

Wombacker said the first floor of the multi-story site would be used as an office for the authority.

“With the city’s ongoing move to revitalize the downtown area, it will be to our advantage to be more visible,” he said.

The authority’s office is currently situated in the Connellsville business incubator/multi-tenant facility, located along South First Street.

The board has discussed selling the incubator, but is prohibited to do so for two years. A grant received nearly 15 years ago to renovate the building stipulated that it could not change ownership until 2005.

The site has been used by entrepreneurs looking to develop a business, however, with other agencies offering similar opportunities in addition to financial assistance and development progams, the incubator is not drawing the tenants it did in the past.

“We have a few tenants, but most of the building is unoccupied,” said Wombacker.

In other matters, the board agreed to work with the Fayette County Redevelopment Authority in obtaining ownership of city properties that become available through the free and clear tax sale program.

While it is not known what sites are listed, Wombacker said that if the city takes ownership the properties could be developed or sold.

“I think the mayor (Judy Reed) has a very interesting idea,” said Wombacker, adding that Reed had suggested the local authority investigate the matter.

According to authority solicitor Charles Watson, the properties that become available are those that are not purchased at annual tax sales and become the property of the county.

In an unrelated matter, the board also:

Welcomed Marilyn Weaver to the panel. Weaver was named to the authority board by city council at its December meeting to replace Roy Taylor whose term of office had expired.

Agreed to advertise for professional service proposals including engineering, legal and auditing services.