Masontown takes steps toward multi-use building
MASONTOWN – Borough council took the first official steps towards constructing a multi-use municipal building. At Tuesday’s borough meeting, council members voted 5-0 in favor of hiring Dwain Lee Architects (DLA) of Blacklick, Ohio, to prepare and submit an application for funding with the United Stated Department of Agriculture’s rural development office. Council members Bob Brown, Edward Gulino, Frank McLaughlin and Kay Rendina voted in favor of hiring Dwain Lee Architects. Councilwoman Carole Daniels was absent from the meeting and council President Harry Lee abstained from voting, citing a conflict because Dwain Lee is his son.
Harry Lee said the borough has entered into a sales agreement with the owner of the Gabler Drug building, located at 2 N. Main St., and plans to purchase the 12,000-square-foot building for $192,500 if the USDA approves funding for the project.
Dwain Lee said construction and renovations to the building will cost an estimated $550,000.
According to Harry Lee, the borough hopes to acquire a $100,000 grant through the USDA and plans to finance the additional $450,000 with a low-interest loan, also offered through the USDA.
Harry Lee said the interest on the loan should be around 4 percent, adding that the borough is attempting to acquire as much grant money as possible.
The proposed multi-use municipal building will house the borough’s administrative offices, police department and Masontown-German Library.
Dwain Lee will be paid an estimated fee of $73,950 for architectural work, which is about 13 percent of the project cost.
Harry Lee said the borough was not required to bid the project in regards to the architectural work and said he sees no ethical problem in having his son complete the work, adding that his son is completing the work at a lower-than-average rate.
“I know he can handle the project well,” Harry Lee said, adding that council is excited to see the project begin.
Harry Lee said the community is in need of such a building, adding that the library has joined with the borough to help pay the cost.