Auction is set for Hill View

NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- With no sales agreement in place, Lawrence County commissioners said they are pursuing their plans to auction Hill View Manor on Sept. 24.
The auction is set to begin at 9 a.m. at the site of the county's former nursing home in Shenango Township. Interested parties were given until the end of the day Wednesday to make the county an offer, but no one has agreed to buy the three-story building, its contents or the 35 acres.
"Several people have expressed an interest, but no one has formalized anything," said Commissioner Chairman Dan Vogler. "So the auction is on."
That doesn't mean the county cannot accept an offer in the meantime if the price is right, commissioners said.
The home closed early last year after its residency continued to decline. The commissioners then agreed to put the property on the market.
In February, they entered into a contract with Realtor Darryl Audia to market the site. Audia said he has advertised the property in several publications distributed throughout western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio.
Commissioners secured appraisals of the property within the past year. They said those values have remained private in order to attract a more competitive price for the building and land.
The commissioners have the option to accept or reject any bids. If the property does not sell at the auction, Audia will continue marketing it until his contract with the county expires later this year. A list of all items to be sold is available by visiting the Audia Real Estate Web site at www.audiarealestate.com