More than two years ago, representatives of the Pottsville Parking Authority came up with a plan to buy two vacant buildings on the 200 block of North Second Street and level them to establish a parking lot.
Those buildings are at 213 and 215 N. Second St.
At the end of the authority’s February meeting Friday morning, the authority announced it obtained ownership of both properties, but the authority is still developing a plan for their future.
“There’s always a need for parking up there, so there’s a possibility the authority will pursue a demolition project up there. But the authority isn’t 100 percent sure yet,” the authority’s solicitor, Richard Thornburg, said after the meeting.
In December, the authority closed the deal to buy address 213, which was owned by Constantin and Rodica M. Tanjala.
“The authority paid $25,000,” said Nora C. Chiplona, the interim executive director of Pottsville Area Development Corp., the agency which manages the parking authority. “The purchase of 213 is finalized, and we do have the deed to that property. So that is ours.”
At Friday’s meeting, the authority voted to close a deal to buy address 215.
In December 2005, North Second Rehabilitation Project LLC, Pottsville, bought 215 N. Second St. from Michael J. Javorka for $25,000, according to the online Schuylkill Parcel Locator.
North Second Rehabilitation Project LLC, established in 2005, aimed to improve the neighborhood and bring more parking to downtown. Its members included Patrick J. Murphy, owner of Murphy Jewelers; Carmen DiCello, owner of Towne Drugs and Yorkville Drugs, Pottsville; Mickey Palles, owner of The Coney Island, 2290 W. Market St., Pottsville; Stephen R. Buzalko, owner of Buzalko Properties and Buzalko Woodworking, Pottsville; and Bill Jones, president of Jones & Co., Pottsville.
Before the vote Friday, the authority chairman, city Mayor James T. Muldowney, asked for Thornburg’s advice.
“My personal opinion is the authority should purchase it and continue on with what the prior board was going to do,” Muldowney said.
“The prior board voted to purchase it, so that was done,” Thornburg said.
“So, I guess, the next thing we have to do is have the building appraised,” Muldowney said.
“That’s been done. It’s been appraised,” Thornburg said.
“The purchase price for 215 was $20,000,” Chiplona said.
“OK,” Muldowney said.
“I have a deed prepared. I also have a settlement statement prepared. The only thing we need to do is have the deed and the settlement statement approved and signed by you,” Thornburg said.
“I don’t know if I need to make a motion to carry on with this action,” Muldowney said.
“Like I said, it’s already been approved, but if you want to do it to feel better about it, you could,” Thornburg said.
“I make the motion,” authority board member Mark Atkinson said.
It was seconded by the vice chairman, Joseph J. Devine Jr., and carried with a vote by Muldowney.
Authority board members Dorothy L. “Dottie” Botto and Edmund J. Jones were absent from Friday’s meeting.
Also present were City Administrator Thomas A. Palamar and Diana McGeever, PADCO’s administrative assistant.
When the city goes into debt with a 2016 General Obligation Bond in the next few months, the Pottsville Parking Authority could borrow up to $750,000 as part of that, Chiplona said.
“I think it’s a not-to-exceed figure,” Thornburg said.
“Correct. It’s no more than $750,000,” John E. Levkulic, Pottsville, the authority’s engineer, said Friday.
Levkulic has been working to put together a list of projects, Chiplona said.
Since early 2015, the parking authority has been discussing repairs for two of its parking decks — the Mahantongo Parking Center, built in 1969, and the Capitol Parking Garage, built in 1995.
“Right now, we’re prioritizing our needs and trying to figure out what we can get done for that $750,000,” Levkulic said.
In late 2015, the city council appointed RBC Capital Markets LLC as the underwriter for its projected 2016 General Obligation Bond. And the city council hired Paul J. Datte, an attorney from Pottsville, as its bond counsel, Palamar said.
Palamar estimated the city would be ready to approve its bond issue in the next month or two.
“I would hope not three months because we’ve got a roof that needs to be put on,” Palamar said, referring to City Hall.