Blue Tarps Out, Hotel In --
If Everything Goes Right
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Say good-bye to blue tarps and hello to a Holiday Inn Express – if everything goes according to plans.
Bradford City Council on Tuesday heard from Code Enforcement Officer George Corignani concerning the tarps and other code enforcement matters, and from the developer who plans on building a 72-room hotel at the former Micale Construction site.
Corignani said the people who have blue tarps on their roofs have been given until the end of the month to have the buildings re-roofed and have the tarps taken off, or they will be cited.
Mayor Tom Riel specifically asked about the blue-tarped property on East Main Street. Corignani said he would be surprised if the owner didn't have a building permit this week.
Office of Economic and Community Development Executive Director Sara Andrews said she believes the new landlord ordinance has made it easier for code enforcement to do its job because the ordinance "teeth in it" concerning fines for violations.
Corignani said four landlords have been cited for not registering with the city and have been fine $500 each. One of those landlords is appealing the fine, so the case will go to the McKean County Court of Common Pleas.
As for the hotel, John Stranburg of Tarport Properties LLC said he hopes to have the footers placed by September for the four-story Holiday Inn Express.
Stranburg and Jim Hannon of Hannon Engineering were at the meeting to ask council to approve the submission of an application to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to alter the part of Forman Street at the railroad crossing.
Hannon said the alteration is necessary to improve the entrance to the property so they'll have a 24-foot width street with curb and gutter as well as a "decent truck-turn radius" to enter onto Forman Street.
After the resolution passed, Councilman Ross Neidich asked if that gives the project the go-ahead.
"It helps," Stranburg said.
"Big time," Hannon added.
"Without it we're dead in the water," Stranburg said.
"We want to do anything we can to accommodate you," Riel said. "We're here to help you."
"We're very close," Hannon said, adding that a PUC representative still has to make a visit to the site.
Stranburg said they hope to have the footers in by September.
In other matters, council entered into a loan agreement with Joseph Godding of Quick Way Auto Sales and Quick Way Car Wash.
Andrews said the $5,000 loan is to help with the purchase of equipment for Godding to expand his business.
Council also granted a three-month extension to E&M Engineers to complete preliminary engineering for the Kennedy Street Bridge replacement project.
The engineering was originally supposed to be finished by July 30, but will now be finished by October 30.
Also Tuesday, council granted free parking in downtown Bradford on Friday for Summer Daze, and authorized a special events waiver for Bradford's Festa Italiana.
The waiver allows alcoholic beverages in plastic containers to be consumed on Festival Way on August 13, 14 and 15.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Say good-bye to blue tarps and hello to a Holiday Inn Express – if everything goes according to plans.
Bradford City Council on Tuesday heard from Code Enforcement Officer George Corignani concerning the tarps and other code enforcement matters, and from the developer who plans on building a 72-room hotel at the former Micale Construction site.
Corignani said the people who have blue tarps on their roofs have been given until the end of the month to have the buildings re-roofed and have the tarps taken off, or they will be cited.
Mayor Tom Riel specifically asked about the blue-tarped property on East Main Street. Corignani said he would be surprised if the owner didn't have a building permit this week.
Office of Economic and Community Development Executive Director Sara Andrews said she believes the new landlord ordinance has made it easier for code enforcement to do its job because the ordinance "teeth in it" concerning fines for violations.
Corignani said four landlords have been cited for not registering with the city and have been fine $500 each. One of those landlords is appealing the fine, so the case will go to the McKean County Court of Common Pleas.
As for the hotel, John Stranburg of Tarport Properties LLC said he hopes to have the footers placed by September for the four-story Holiday Inn Express.Stranburg and Jim Hannon of Hannon Engineering were at the meeting to ask council to approve the submission of an application to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to alter the part of Forman Street at the railroad crossing.
Hannon said the alteration is necessary to improve the entrance to the property so they'll have a 24-foot width street with curb and gutter as well as a "decent truck-turn radius" to enter onto Forman Street.
After the resolution passed, Councilman Ross Neidich asked if that gives the project the go-ahead.
"It helps," Stranburg said.
"Big time," Hannon added.
"Without it we're dead in the water," Stranburg said.
"We want to do anything we can to accommodate you," Riel said. "We're here to help you."
"We're very close," Hannon said, adding that a PUC representative still has to make a visit to the site.
Stranburg said they hope to have the footers in by September.
In other matters, council entered into a loan agreement with Joseph Godding of Quick Way Auto Sales and Quick Way Car Wash.
Andrews said the $5,000 loan is to help with the purchase of equipment for Godding to expand his business.
Council also granted a three-month extension to E&M Engineers to complete preliminary engineering for the Kennedy Street Bridge replacement project.
The engineering was originally supposed to be finished by July 30, but will now be finished by October 30.
Also Tuesday, council granted free parking in downtown Bradford on Friday for Summer Daze, and authorized a special events waiver for Bradford's Festa Italiana.
The waiver allows alcoholic beverages in plastic containers to be consumed on Festival Way on August 13, 14 and 15.
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