Clearfield Commissioners to Review Draft Next Week
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners on Tuesday authorized Solicitor Kim Kesner to draft a sales agreement for their review next week regarding the prospective sale of the Multi-Service Center to Jeff S. Long of Graystone Court.
Long submitted a new bid as well as terms and conditions to the commissioners on April 25. His proposed sale price for the building was $350,000, which was the lower amount of two appraisals received by the county.
If the sales agreement is approved by both Long and the board of commissioners, payment would proceed with a $25,000 down payment upon the signing of the sales agreement. There would be a second payment in the amount of $25,000 at the time of closing, according to Long’s proposal.
Further, a mortgage of $300,000 at 5 percent interest would be recorded at the time of closing for the balance, and 10 payments in the amount of $38,851.37 would be paid annually. There wouldn’t be a prepayment penalty.
“The sales agreement is contingent upon (my receiving) all approvals to build an eight-story Graystone apartment building,” Long wrote.
Both he and the county acknowledged the existing building is over the setback lines, and any new building is going to extend beyond the setback lines and must be approved prior to closing.
Within 15 days at signing of the sales agreement, Long must conduct an environmental study of the property. He’d look for things, such as asbestos, lead paint, any buried fuel tanks, etc. If there’s a large amount of any of these items, he and the county would negotiate a fair cost to split these expenses.
Transfer taxes would be split equally between Long and the county under the terms of his proposal. And, if for any reason, he’s unable to construct the planned building, the $25,000 down payment would be refunded to him.
“We’ve had some of our seniors come to us and express the need for more senior housing,” Joan Robinson-McMillen said. “In addition, I believe John Kordish, our executive director of the Clearfield County Area Agency on Aging, has spoken at our meetings about the need for affordable senior housing.
“Graystone Court is always full and has a waiting list to even get in. It would also put the Multi-Service Center back on the county’s tax rolls. It’s never contributed to the county’s tax base. It’s an opportunity for our county and its seniors, I think.”
According to Kesner, the commissioners have received two appraisals for the building. The appraisals indicated the building was worth $780,000 and $350,000. Their lone proposal has come from Long, who initially sought the building for $126,000.
Long then proposed to convert the building into a senior housing complex that would be comparable to Graystone Court. However, if it wasn’t feasible for him to do so, he planned to demolish the existing building and construct a new one.
Kesner said last week, the Lawrence Township Supervisors agreed to change the zoning of the Multi-Service Center property from residential suburban to commercial. Afterward, there’s a 30-day appeal period, but, for its proposed use, they want to make sure its zoned commercial, he said.
