Aug 10, 2006 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Several local families participating in a state-sponsored, home-buying program will be completing the final phases of the certification and could be in their residences before the end of the year. “It has been a long wait, but we are close,” said Paul Grubach, Connellsville Redevelopment Authority executive assistant and HOME program manager, on Wednesday.

Last year, the city secured a $400,000 grant through the HOME program to assist 16 first-time homebuyers with down payment costs and/or repair costs to meet state standards through the program.

Grubach said five families have cleared the various mandates and are nearing the financial portion of the program.

Through the program, each participant will be allotted two $10,000 grants with the first grant forgiven at a rate of $1,000 per year for a period of 10 years. The second grant amount would be paid to the city should the home be sold at any time.

A companion program to be offered to the program participants through the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) affiliated lending institution allows for a $3 match for every $1 contributed by the participant up to a total amount of $5,000.

Two HOME grants have been set aside for those taking part in the Habitat for Humanity.

Grubach said that a $20,000 material only package would be purchased to help with the home construction.

“The material will allow for the complete exterior construction of the home including windows, doors, soffit and fascia and walls,” she said.

The city recently donated a North Sixth Street property to the county Habitat for Humanity. In April, it was announced that Steven and Erin Marsinko were selected to receive the home.

Turning to other business, Grubach reported that city officials and the Blueprint Community committee are conducting a survey of the downtown area to meet the criteria necessary to be designated as a Main Street Community, which encourages revitalization through marketing strategies, promotional activities and special events.

In addition to documenting the assets of the city, the state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)-sponsored program requires an active Downtown Business District Authority, authority manager, a five-year strategy plan, market assessment, long-term fund-raising plan and design guidelines be in place for the participant to receive any funding.

If approved by the DCED, the business authority would receive nearly $335,000 over a five-year period to defray the costs of the business manager salary and related expenses. The city would have to contribute $90,000 over the same time frame.

Grubach indicated a public hearing would be conducted before the end of the year to discuss the outcome of the survey and meet with program officials.

In other action, the board also conducted the following business:

– Discussed the re-bidding process for the Connellsville Community Center third-floor heating system. Ralph Wombacker, authority executive director, said that revised specifications have been completed and will be distributed to interested contractors with bids to be opened at the Sept. 13 meeting.

– Approved the final payment of $6,072.18 to Roger Suter & Sons Inc. for the completion of the Water Street inlet project. The overall cost of the project was reduced by approximately $8,000 when it was learned there would be no need for the contractor to repair the roadway as the state Department of Transportation was repaving the area.