FARRELL City aims to tear down abandoned church

The owner won't have the abandoned church demolished but will give the land to the city if it does.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- It will cost the city nearly $90,000 to tear down an abandoned church across the street from the municipal building.
The former Methodist church at Roemer Boulevard and Spearman Avenue has been vacant at least 15 years.
It is owned by Karen Ross, who lives in Florida. She has offered to give the land to the city if it will tear down the dilapidated structure, city officials said.
It's a large building full of asbestos.
Opened bids: City council opened bids on the job Monday, and Daniel A. Terreri and Sons Inc. of North Jackson, Ohio, is the apparent low bidder at $89,200.
City Manager LaVon Saternow said the city has been able to amass about $94,000 in federal Community Development Block Grants for demolition work this year but the church is only one building the city wants to take down.
Farrell needs about $25,000 for several other buildings, leaving the church project about $20,000 short, she said.
Council delayed awarding the demolition contract until Monday, when Saternow is expected to present a plan. She said the city's revolving loan fund may be one source of funding.
The city is anxious to have the building removed by the second week of July in time for the centennial celebration.
Will seek funding: Council agreed to seek state Weed and Seed funding with Sharon to launch a crime cleanup and community revitalization project along their shared border. Sharon council is expected to act on the plan Thursday.
The state will provide grants of $185,000 for three years, but the two cities will have to come up with funds equaling 25 percent in the first year, 50 percent the second and 75 percent the third.
The city will apply for a $60,000 state grant to continue the Shenango Valley Intergovernmental Study Project. The project has spent an initial $50,000 grant and needs $60,000 to complete the task of looking at the possible merger of Farrell, Sharon, Hermitage, Sharpsville and Wheatland.
Council awarded a $15,000 facade improvement loan to Richard H. Harakal Enterprises for improvements to the exterior of a commercial building at 649 Roemer Blvd. The loan will be repaid over five years at 5-percent interest.