MERCER COUNTY District court opens in new Farrell location

Officials said the project could bring in more commercial development.
FARRELL, Pa. -- The relocation of District Justice Henry Russo's office from Mercer Avenue in Hermitage to Idaho Street here signifies more than just a new office.
"We're hoping this is the start of a turnaround," said Mayor William Morocco during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday at the office at the corner of Idaho Street and Spearman Avenue.
Farrell is targeting the area around that location for light industrial and commercial redevelopment in a $1 million project. The city also is contacting various commercial enterprises to tell them about what is happening on Idaho Street, Morocco said.
Francis J. Fornelli, Mercer County Common Pleas president judge, is credited with being the driving force to get Russo's new office put in Farrell.
After months of debate over where it should go, it was Morocco who suggested the county contact Wesex Corp., owner of the small plaza at Idaho and Spearman where the office was finally located, Judge Fornelli said.
The judge said the 3,000-square-foot office could be an anchor for additional development in the area.
Hope for redevelopment
This brings light to this intersection in Farrell, said Gene Brenneman, chairman of the Mercer County commissioners. The county is picking up the tab for the $270,775 project.
The county bought half the plaza and had it remodeled.
"This could be the [redevelopment] seed we plant," Brenneman added.
Russo and his staff actually moved into the new facilities Sept. 22.
"It's a very well laid-out building," Russo said, noting that it's about twice the size of his old office.
The courtroom can easily seat 40 people, and there are three conference rooms, a large lobby and a much larger work space for his staff of five, he added.