Parkette property for sale
Enhancement of an empty lot in Washington continues, but an envisioned “parkette” is now surrounded in controversy.
The property on which a small park is being built in a collaboration involving city officials, WashArts and local students was put up for sale by owners John and Shirley Richman.
“I let people use the property for three years as an easement. They took it as I gave them the property. I did not give them this property,” said John Richman. “They just think it’s theirs. It isn’t.”
According to Richman, the use of the lot, located behind The George Washington hotel at East Wheeling Street and Shaffer Avenue, was temporarily granted in March 2014.
Since that time, WashArts, a nonprofit with a mission of offering art instruction and revitalizing downtown Washington, began to rehab the space with a $175,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and $5,000 from the city.
Volunteers recently completed construction of a gazebo, installed planters and stained the concrete. WashArts also planned to install bird baths and a sculpture created by Western Area Career and Technology Center students, have a mural painted by a local artist and plant ivy to cover an unsightly concrete wall. Picnic tables built by WACTC students are also located in the space.
After learning a “for sale” sign was placed on the property early this week, WashArts volunteer Steve Leonardi said he took it upon himself to take the sign down.
Leonardi met with the WashArts board of directors Wednesday night while attorneys looked at the agreement between the city and the Richmans.
“The opinion was that we were within our rights to remove the sign,” Leonardi said. “We put a lot of work into the park, and it was starting to look good.”
Leonardi said in the short time he was in the park removing the sign, six people stopped to comment and applaud his actions. He said he didn’t want residents “to get the wrong impression” if they saw the sign.
“We are trying to do a community enterprise,” said Leonardi. “This was built for the citizens of Washington.”
In May, Washington Mayor Brenda Davis said the Richmans granted the three-year easement to the city and would hand over the property once it was fully developed.
“I don’t understand what they’re trying to prove,” said Richman. “They’ve taken the attitude that it’s theirs, and it isn’t theirs.”
Richman said he planned to sell the property all along and it is his right to do so. He said the gazebo should not have been built by people who don’t own the lot.
“I don’t have to tell the city what I’m doing,” he replied when asked if the city was aware he didn’t intend to retain the property through the three-year easement. He said if the lot sells, it will be up to the new owner whether to honor the agreement.
Richman said his attorney is handling the matter.
Davis did not return calls seeking comment.
Regardless of the park’s future, Leonardi said WashArts plans to use the space during the Whiskey Rebellion Festival July 9 through July 12, offering acoustic music and children’s programs.
“I think more and more people are utilizing (the park),” he said.