A group of local business owners Tuesday have asked the city for $25,000 in federal grant funds to demolish two buildings on the 200 block of North Second Street and establish a parking lot.
"I want to be clear that we're not in it to make a penny. We're in it because we love this city. We believe in it. We're committed to give back to it," Patrick J. Murphy, a Pottsville jeweler and president of the Pottsville Parking Authority, said at a public hearing at City Hall.
The city is planning to receive $300,000 through the 2013 federal Community Development Block Grant Program, according to Thomas A. Palamar, city administrator.
Palamar ran the first of two public hearings regarding the city's intentions for the funding. The second hearing on the 2013 CDBG be held 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at council chambers at City Hall.
"It isn't a lot of money, so we want to make sure we put it to the best use possible," Palamar said.
The city proposed using the $300,000 from the 2013 CDBG program for the following projects:
- Sidewalk improvements on Market Street from Centre Street to Second Street, $66,000
- Housing rehabilitation, $75,000
- Demolition, $55,000
- Administration, $54,000
- Code enforcement, $25,000
- Second Street Parking, demolition of a building and development of a parking lot, $25,000
The "Second Street Parking" project is the one Murphy came out to promote.
Murphy is one of the partners of North Second Rehabilitation Project LLC, Pottsville, a group established in 2005 that aims to improve the neighborhood and bring more parking to downtown.
Other NSRP partners are Carmen DiCello, owner of Towne Drugs and Yorkville Drugs, Pottsville; A. Matthew Dudish, Schuylkill County recorder of deeds; Mickey Palles, owner of The Coney Island at 2290 W. Market St., Pottsville; Stephen R. Buzalko, owner of Buzalko Properties and Buzalko Woodworking, Pottsville; and Bill Jones, president of Jones & Co., Pottsville.
If the funding from the city's 2013 federal Community Development Block Grant project is made available, the group will sell two vacant properties - 213 and 215 N. Second St. - to the Pottsville Parking Authority. The city will give the $25,000 in CDBG funds to the authority. Then the authority will use it to raze the buildings and develop a parking lot, Murphy said.
Both Murphy and DiCello are on the parking authority's board of directors.
"So the money would be used to offset the cost of the demolition of the buildings," Palamar said.
"Correct," Murphy said.
Projects eligible for CDBG funds include demolition, rehabilitation of residential and non-residential structures, construction of public facilities and improvements such as water and sewer facilities, streets and neighborhood centers and the conversion of school buildings for eligible purposes, according to the website for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
NSRP bought 215 N. Second St. from Michael J. Javorka in December 2005 for $25,000, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.
Meanwhile, 213 N. Second St. is owned by Constantin and Rodica M. Tanjala. The Tanjalas bought the property from Elwood R. Jr. and Joanne M. Henne in December 2003 for $32,000, according to the parcel locator.
Murphy said the Tanjalas are willing to sell it for $25,000, if the city goes along with NSRP's plan.
Address 213 is on the city's blight list, according to Donald J. Chescavage, city code enforcement officer.
"The buildings are in such a condition right now it would not be cost-smart to refurbish them. They're in such bad shape. We're anticipating the buildings will need to be torn down," Murphy said.
Other members of city council at the hearing were Mayor John D.W. Reiley and Councilman James T. Muldowney.