Additional Approval Required from Long and his Legal Counsel
CLEARFIELD – The Clearfield County Commissioners have moved forward with its sale of the Multi-Service Center for $350,000, approving a sales agreement for presentation to Jeff S. Long of Graystone Court at their meeting Tuesday.
Long currently plans to convert the building into a senior housing complex that would be comparable to Graystone Court. However, if he determines that it’s not feasible, he plans to demolish the existing building and construct a new one.
County Solicitor Kim Kesner said he developed the sales agreement based upon his “informal discussions” with Long and his legal counsel as well as the board of commissioners. The agreement was unanimously approved by the commissioners but doesn’t become effective until accepted by Long.
While their discussions have only been informal with Long, the commissioners aren’t certain of many details surrounding the proposed construction. A building plan must be submitted for the commissioners’ approval 30 days prior to closing, Kesner said.
According to him, a mortgage of $300,000 at 5 percent interest per year would be recorded at the time of closing. Long would make 10 annual payments in the amount of $38,851.37. There wouldn’t be a prepayment penalty.
If the sales agreement would go into effect, Long would pay $25,000 down at signing and $25,000 again at closing. If he’s unable to renovate or construct a new building, the agreement allows him to convey the property back to the county and recover his $50,000 down payment, Kesner said.
However, Long would be responsible for returning the Leonard Street property within 60 days of their final sales agreement and in the same condition as conveyed to him without any liens or the county would retain payment for any damages.
Long would be required to conduct inspections and studies within 15 days of signing the sales agreement to determine if any environmental issues, such as asbestos, lead paint or buried fuel tanks, exist at the Multi-Service Center property. If any would be found by Long, he must either accept as is, or withdraw from the contract.
The commissioners also required the property to obey the same covenants as the Professional Office Park but allowed for an exception to the height restriction as the planned eight-story structure would surpass the same.
In Long’s proposal, he and the commissioners acknowledged the existing building extends beyond the township’s setback lines. If the construction of any new building would also infringe upon these setback lines, it would require approval from the Lawrence Township Supervisors before closing.
Kesner indicated that he permitted a 180-day period for the approval to be given. If not completed within the timeframe, either side would then be able to back out of the agreement.
Commissioner Mark B. McCracken also inquired if anyone had contacted the 911 Center about the height of Long’s proposed building and if it’d interfere with the towers. Commissioner Chairperson Joan Robinson-McMillen said she had checked into it as well as fire protection and found both to be OK.
The county has been attempting to sell the Multi-Service Center since last summer. It had received two appraisals for the building, indicating it was worth $780,000 and $350,000.
Their lone proposal has come from Long, who initially sought the building for $126,000. He submitted his newest proposal to the commissioners April 25.
If Long would accept the sales agreement, his payments would begin in 2012.