Businessman, city reach compromise on buildings

SHARON, Pa. -- The city and businessman James E. Winner Jr. have reached a compromise on the fate of two vacant buildings Winner owns at 14-16 and 22-26 N. Water Ave.
Frank Smeraglia, the city's code enforcement officer, sent Winner and his wife, Donna, a letter in July directing that the buildings be repaired or razed because of deteriorating conditions.
The Winners appealed the order to the Sharon Zoning Board of Appeals, which was to have a hearing on the matter Monday.
Instead, Jack Campbell, property manager for the Winners, came up with a proposal that would result in the demolition of one building and the repair or demolition of the second, Smeraglia said.
The plan calls for razing the building at 22-26 N. Water Ave., which is adjacent to the North Water Avenue municipal parking lot, within 45 days.
The building at 14-16 N. Water Ave. would be repaired. If the cost of repair is too great, however, it would be razed by the end of the year.
Smeraglia said William Madden, city solicitor, will prepare a consent agreement outlining the arrangement to be signed by all parties.
Smeraglia said Campbell told the board the two buildings had been for sale for $80,000, but no buyers came forward.
The board recessed its hearing until next Monday, but if the consent agreement is signed by then, the hearing will be canceled, Smeraglia said.