Board wants to secure empty nursing home

A real estate appraisal was completed this week.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County commissioners are looking into boarding up the windows at the former county nursing home and weatherizing it for winter.
They instructed Frank Piccari, director of maintenance, to shut off utilities and take any other steps to secure the vacant building.
Commissioners say they want to sell the Ellwood Road building and surrounding land, but it won't be easy.
"I think it's going to be a tough sell. I think we might be more successful if we separate the home and the property," Commissioner Steve Craig said.
Closed in February
The nursing home, built in the early 1900s, was closed in February because of a declining population after a failed attempt to sell it to a private company.
The home sits on about 38 acres and includes a cemetery of former residents. Commissioners have said they maintain the cemetery as county property even after a sale.
Commissioner Ed Fosnaught said they got an appraisal of the building and property this week, and the next step is to hire a real estate agent to market it.
Fosnaught said they did have one inquiry about the land, but he doesn't believe it was a serious offer.
Fosnaught and Craig say they want to contract with a real estate agent soon.
The building, which is adjacent to Sylvan Heights Golf Course, has suffered vandalism since the nursing home ceased operation. Fosnaught said golf balls were hit into second floor windows.
cioffi@vindy.com