Nov 17, 2009 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Additional details concerning the purchase of a West Side property by the city were revealed last week indicating that the agreement additionally requires the city to market a vacant downtown building for the property owners. Dexston Reed, Connellsville Redevelopment Authority chairman, informed the panel that the owners – Jim and Bryan Mongell – requested that the public be made aware of all the details of the tentative sale due to subsequent inquiries following the city’s announcement it would seek to purchase the one-half acre site at the northwest corner of the Crawford Avenue Bridge at a cost of $60,000.

In September, Mayor Judy Reed held a special meeting to direct the authority to enter into an option to purchase the West Crawford Avenue property and modify the 2008 state Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to enable the city to purchase the property and develop a park. The $105,000 funding was initially to be used to purchase a lot at the Widewaters Commons shopping plaza sold by the city to the Widewaters Development Co. in 2004.

“Council’s approval of these resolutions will pave the way for the first steps in possibly acquiring a key, anchor property for the Main Street revitalization,” said Judy Reed.

However, she did not reveal that one of the key components of the purchase would also entail the city securing an owner for the former G.C. Murphy Store, also located along West Crawford Avenue.

Dexston Reed said that he approached the Mongell family in February 2008 to secure the property for the city. However, the lot was unable to be sold.

“It is a key piece of property, tying the West Side to the downtown,” said Dexston Reed.

Recently, the family was approached again and a “handshake” deal was reached, he added, but required the city to market the vacant building as a part of the agreement.

“(The city) cannot buy it. There are no funds to buy it,” said Dexston Reed. “We have taken (potential buyers) through the building.

“We’ve talked to others with the (financial) means to buy it and moth-ball it.”

The Mongells have also requested the park carry the family name. The owners, said Dexston Reed, have agreed to donate $10,000 to the city for the development of the park and a similar amount for the maintenance of the site.

The city has until the end of the year to successfully market the building.

When questioned about any recourse the city might have if a new owner for the building is not found, Dexston Reed said that an alternate agreement would be sought.

Authority solicitor Charles Watson said that from the authority standpoint, the deal, if realized, would be a “win-win situation.”

“The city would get a park and a downtown building would be occupied,” he said.

The state Department of Community and Economic Development that regulates the CDBG spending has not given its approval to the requested modification.

Turning to other matters, the board also authorized three change orders in connection with improvements being made to the Edwin S. Porter Theater and Performing Arts Center totaling $8,475.

The cost is for the addition of railing and fixed lighting and sound fixtures.