MERCER COUNTY Council recommends land sale for small-company condo site

The businessman said there's a demand for small-business space.
By HAROLD GWIN
VINDICATOR SHARON BUREAU
FARRELL, Pa. -- Kyle Klaric wants to build a small-business condominium on a one-acre parcel owned by the city.
Klaric, owner and president of Premier Hydraulics Inc. at 11 Wallis Ave., told city council Monday that his plan is to put four or five condominium-style small-business or industrial units on the property at the corner of Broadway Avenue and Negley Street.
Klaric made an initial offer of $5,000 for the property a month ago, but council delayed action on his request, saying it wanted to have the property appraised.
Mayor William Morocco said Monday the appraisal came in just under $21,000 and, just as the council meeting began, Klaric announced he would increase his offer to $6,000.
Here's the plan
"I just think there's a need in our community," Klaric told council, noting that he gets frequent calls from small businesses looking for 1,200 or 1,300 square feet of space to lease.
All of his units would be about that size and would rent on a month-to-month basis so fledging businesses wouldn't have to guarantee paying a full year's rent if their plans didn't work out, he said.
"I'm willing to put my money up to do this project," Klaric said, pointing out the land isn't in a Keystone Opportunity Zone that would free any development there from paying state and local taxes for the next seven years.
This project will pay full taxes, he said.
Councilwoman Jeannette Hooks questioned the wisdom of selling the land for $6,000 when the appraisal came in at nearly $21,000.
She made a last-minute attempt to raise the sale price to $7,500, but she made her motion to amend the sale price too late.
Atty. Stephen Mirizio, city solicitor, ruled that the roll call on the motion to recommend the sale of the land for $6,000 already had started.
Other discussion
Councilwoman Olive Brown also felt the land should go for more, pointing out that it is adjacent to the new Centennial Place housing development, and there is activity on industrial land directly across Broadway, making the site more valuable.
Councilman Lou Falconi pointed out there were no other offers on the land, and, even though the price offered by Klaric is well below the appraised value, the project is still a good idea.
The motion to recommend the sale passed 5-0.
Council's action is only a recommendation to the Farrell Redevelopment Authority to sell the property at that price. The authority actually holds the title.
Klaric will still have to meet city zoning and economic development regulations with his project, Mirizio said.
Klaric said he came up with the initial $5,000 offer because that's the same price the city sold the land for to another prospective developer three years ago. The project never developed and the city took the land back.