Questions Arise About Mercantile Sale
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Questions about the sale of the Main Street Mercantile were raised during Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting.
Calvin Court resident Patricia Demjan posed the questions.
The Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation owned and operated the mercantile, but recently sold it to local businessman Todd Hennard. OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews, who is also treasurer of the non-profit DBRC, said Hennard approached them about the mercantile when he bought the building at 45 Main Street.
“We felt it was time that the business be moved into the private sector,” Andrews said. “I think it will continue to grow and be an economic driver in our downtown community.”
“It looks really nice,” Demjan said, then asked about the sale price.
Andrews said the money the DBRC received went toward paying the old landlord and other expenses. The rest of the money will go toward promoting downtown activities.
Demjan also asked why the it wasn’t put out to bid. Andrews explained that because the DBRC is a private, non-profit they did not have to bid it out. Andrews said they weren’t even thinking about selling it until Hennard approached them.
Andrews said Hennard has invested in the downtown area, and has renovated other buildings before buying 45 Main Street, which had been vacant for some time.
“We felt this was an ideal opportunity for him and our community,” Andrews said.
Also Tuesday, council approved on second reading the mechanical device ordinance which requires businesses to register juke boxes, games and other machines.
Mayor Tom Riel said he and council “taken some heat” about the new ordinance. He said it’s not something council just came up with.
“It should gave been in place years ago,” he said, adding that most cities the size of Bradford already have the ordinance in place.
Council also approved changes orders to the contracts of the companies working on the Kessel Athletic Complex at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Andrews explained that the current contracts expire Thursday but, because of bad weather during the construction season, all the contractors were delayed. The contracts have been extended to June 15.
In other matters, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris told council he had “no complaints, only compliments.”
He went on to thank city electrician Dave DeFrank for the time he volunteered to get the holiday lights ready for the season; and Elm Street Manager Lisa Keck (filling in as Main Street Manager as well) for organizing the Cruisin’ into Christmas Parade last month and Saturday’s Old-Fashioned Christmas.
Orris said they both did a fantastic job.
He also thanked Parks and DPW Director Chip Comilla for his work during the Day of Action as well as for living up to a promise he made.
Comilla promised “there would be no snow on Main Street during the Christmas season,” Orris said. “I don’t know how you did it, but … a lot of praying, I think.”
After the Pledge of Allegiance council observed a moment of silence in honor of former councilman Dene Wesmiller as well as former Foster Township supervisor Cary Kaber and township road superintendent Joe Sweet who all died earlier this month.
Before the meeting, the pension board met and approved payment to firefighter Todd McClain who is being forced to retire after a serious injury while fighting a fire on Euclid Avenue in January of 2010.
McClain suffered severe lung injuries when his mask dislodged and he inhaled large amounts of superheated air, smoke and gases.
“He was one of the best firefighters we ever had,” said Chief Chris Angell. “His life has been altered forever.”
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...
since 1947
WESB/WBRR News Director
Questions about the sale of the Main Street Mercantile were raised during Tuesday’s Bradford City Council meeting.
Calvin Court resident Patricia Demjan posed the questions.
The Downtown Bradford Revitalization Corporation owned and operated the mercantile, but recently sold it to local businessman Todd Hennard. OECD Executive Director Sara Andrews, who is also treasurer of the non-profit DBRC, said Hennard approached them about the mercantile when he bought the building at 45 Main Street.
“We felt it was time that the business be moved into the private sector,” Andrews said. “I think it will continue to grow and be an economic driver in our downtown community.”
“It looks really nice,” Demjan said, then asked about the sale price.
Andrews said the money the DBRC received went toward paying the old landlord and other expenses. The rest of the money will go toward promoting downtown activities.
Demjan also asked why the it wasn’t put out to bid. Andrews explained that because the DBRC is a private, non-profit they did not have to bid it out. Andrews said they weren’t even thinking about selling it until Hennard approached them.
Andrews said Hennard has invested in the downtown area, and has renovated other buildings before buying 45 Main Street, which had been vacant for some time.
“We felt this was an ideal opportunity for him and our community,” Andrews said.
Also Tuesday, council approved on second reading the mechanical device ordinance which requires businesses to register juke boxes, games and other machines.
Mayor Tom Riel said he and council “taken some heat” about the new ordinance. He said it’s not something council just came up with.
“It should gave been in place years ago,” he said, adding that most cities the size of Bradford already have the ordinance in place.
Council also approved changes orders to the contracts of the companies working on the Kessel Athletic Complex at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford.
Andrews explained that the current contracts expire Thursday but, because of bad weather during the construction season, all the contractors were delayed. The contracts have been extended to June 15.
In other matters, Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Ron Orris told council he had “no complaints, only compliments.”
He went on to thank city electrician Dave DeFrank for the time he volunteered to get the holiday lights ready for the season; and Elm Street Manager Lisa Keck (filling in as Main Street Manager as well) for organizing the Cruisin’ into Christmas Parade last month and Saturday’s Old-Fashioned Christmas.
Orris said they both did a fantastic job.
He also thanked Parks and DPW Director Chip Comilla for his work during the Day of Action as well as for living up to a promise he made.
Comilla promised “there would be no snow on Main Street during the Christmas season,” Orris said. “I don’t know how you did it, but … a lot of praying, I think.”
After the Pledge of Allegiance council observed a moment of silence in honor of former councilman Dene Wesmiller as well as former Foster Township supervisor Cary Kaber and township road superintendent Joe Sweet who all died earlier this month.
Before the meeting, the pension board met and approved payment to firefighter Todd McClain who is being forced to retire after a serious injury while fighting a fire on Euclid Avenue in January of 2010.
McClain suffered severe lung injuries when his mask dislodged and he inhaled large amounts of superheated air, smoke and gases.
“He was one of the best firefighters we ever had,” said Chief Chris Angell. “His life has been altered forever.”
The news leader of the Twin Tiers ...since 1947
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