The Pottsville Redevelopment Authority will not consider new projects or approve additional conservatorships “for the time being,” Chairman Ian Lipton said Thursday.
The reason? There’s currently just $117,000 available for the Redevelopment Authority to spend.
The announcement came during a rare joint meeting between the Authority and members of City Council.
Although the session was publicly advertised, nearly all of its hour-long duration was spent in executive session. No reason for entering the closed-door meeting was announced beforehand, and the purpose was not listed on the public agenda.
Under Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act, boards must publicly state the reason for entering an executive session either prior to or immediately after it happens.
Ed Brennan, who serves as Solicitor for the Redevelopment Authority and interim Solicitor for the City of Pottsville, was not in attendance.
When members returned from the private discussion, no formal votes were taken. Still, Lipton said there was “consensus” on several matters.
Funding and Staffing
Lipton said both boards agreed to prepare requirements for hiring a grant writer to pursue funding over the next 24 months.
The Authority also intends to seek a part-time administrator to oversee its programs, while the City Clerk will assist with administration through the end of 2025.
No New Conservatorships
Lipton said the Authority will not approve additional conservatorships beyond those already in progress.
“We won’t add any additional plans to consider buildings that we haven’t already committed to,” he said, adding the priority is ensuring existing targeted buildings eventually find willing buyers.
(See also: Pottsville Officials Clash with Solicitor Over $194K in Legal Fees)
Pottsville Centre Project
One project still moving forward, Lipton said, is the Pottsville Centre LLC redevelopment of the former Schuylkill Trust building at N. Centre and W. Market streets.
The project calls for 60 apartments on the floors above the Beyond Hello dispensary.
Agreements between the Authority and the developer have been reached, and Lipton said he is confident City Council will approve them.
“These are the only decisions that have been made,” Lipton said. “It is our goal to provide as much transparency with regard to redevelopment activities as possible moving forward.”
The meeting adjourned without any public votes on the matters Lipton described.
READ MORE:
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- Personnel Matters Dominate Agenda for Special Pottsville Council Meeting
- Pottsville Votes to Seek Proposals for New Solicitor
- Pottsville Council’s Vote to Deny Police Officer’s Grievance Could Result in Legal Battle
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