Dec 9, 2004 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – A mayoral resolution touted as an “insurance policy” should Widewaters Development Group fail to follow through with its agreement with the city to purchase the Route 119/201 located property, failed to receive council support. Although the city is scheduled to meet today with Widewaters representatives and receive a $350,000 check for the nearly 8-acre parcel, Mayor Judy Reed told council Wednesday that it should take measures to turn the site over to the city redevelopment authority if the sales agreement is not completed by the end of December.

“I’m sure everything is a go,” she said in prefacing the reading of the resolution.

“But, sometimes things get changed in an hour or two.

“I think the city should stand prepared and be ready in the event that something should happen and this falls through,” said Reed.

Reed and Councilman Brad Geyer are slated to attend the session, along with city solicitor Joseph Ferens.

If approved, the redevelopment authority would oversee the design and management of the site, which would be required to include a hotel and restaurants, according to Reed’s proposal.

Councilman Charles Matthews said that he is confidant that the New York-based firm would follow through with its agreement with the city. However, if the sale would not be completed, he would favor having the property appraised and then sold to the highest bidder with no restrictions as to how the site would be used.

Councilman Bruce Jaynes chastised Reed for placing the resolution on the agenda.

He also explained that it indicated that she had no confidence in those that had worked diligently to seal the deal.

“I have no idea why (the resolution) is on the agenda,” he said.

Ferens, meanwhile, said that all documents are in place for the sale to take place. It is scheduled by the two sides as a go.

On Tuesday, the city planning commission agreed to issue a building permit for the development site’s anchor tenant – Giant Food Stores.

Marco Marzocchi, Widewaters real estate development general counsel, has indicated that earth-moving equipment might start clearing the area over the weekend following the commission action.

Councilwoman Chris Wagner also indicated that a ceremony is scheduled to take place Dec. 15 to mark the start of the project.

Reed, meanwhile, agreed to lift the restrictions and revise the date to later in January if council would support the initiative.

“This resolution is an insurance policy,” she said. “I’m afraid I don’t see the confidence of council.”

Geyer said he saw the resolution as a lack of support for the project.

“This is a vote of no confidence in Widewater and their ability to fulfill (their obligations),” he said.

The measure was defeated with only Reed voting in favor of the resolution.