NEW CASTLE Council mulls buying building

City lawmakers discussed sidewalk construction and maintenance at their caucus session.
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- City council discussed a proposal that would allow the city's community development corporation to buy and refurbish the former Elks Club building, which has been vacant for nearly 10 years.
During council's Tuesday caucus, city administrator John DiMuccio said the CDC is considering paying Grove Commons Limited, the New Castle-based partnership that owns the building, $1 to secure an option to purchase the building.
With that option in place, the CDC would have a year to decide whether to buy the building. Grove Commons is asking $25,000 for the three-story structure.
Talk of grants
DiMuccio told council he believes various government grants can be secured to buy the building and refurbish it. He said the building needs a new roof and an elevator. He said he would like to see the building used to house various agencies including the CDC and Chamber of Commerce.
Council also discussed updating its sidewalk construction and repair ordinance to require owners of property abutting a street to construct and maintain sidewalks.
Lawmakers then discussed requiring owners of newly constructed properties abutting a street to construct sidewalks. The ordinance states the city may require property owners to construct sidewalks. The city plans to further discuss amending the ordinance at its caucus next month.
Council announced plans to vote on ordinance that would ban open burning during its regular meeting Thursday.