MILLENNIUM PARK Steps are taken to obtain two plots

Two property owners have not agreed to sell.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Lawrence County Redevelopment Authority has taken a few more steps toward obtaining two pieces of property for the Millennium Park project.
Members approved an eminent domain cooperation agreement with the Lawrence County Economic Development Corporation. Under the agreement, LCEDC will provide the $1.25 million needed to pay the land owners.
The owners of two properties, Thomas and Christie Whittaker and Dr. David Hamilton, have turned down offers by LCEDC for their land outright. The corporation has bought land from four others.
All of it will be part of the proposed 1,200-acre Millennium Park in Neshannock Township between Pa. Route 60 and Harbor Road.
Officials have said a large semi-conductor operation is considering the location. The facility could employ more than 3,000 people.
Jim Gagliano, county planning director, said the money must be in the authority's possession before it can start eminent domain, which is the legal right of government to take private property.
It is usually a last-ditch effort to get the land, and property owners are usually given fair compensation.
Gagliano said the Whittakers have not told the corporation how much money they want for their property. He said Hamilton has come back with a counter offer, but no agreement has been made.
Consultant hired
Authority members also agreed to hire consultant Richard Drnevich of Pittsburgh to help the county finish its redevelopment proposal -- a written plan needed before land can be taken by eminent domain.
Drnevich will be paid $100 an hour for work done on an as-needed basis, Gagliano said. His salary will be paid by the LCEDC. The corporation was given $3.5 million from a county bond issue to facilitate the project.
Linda Nitch, LCEDC director, said they also expect to close on a bank line of credit for $10 million by Dec. 31.