Mar 9, 2017 3 min read

MONONGAHELA – Monongahela Council will sell the former armory building through an auction, with some conditions attached.

Council Wednesday approved the auction, with the conditions that two rooms on the first floor continue to be leased for a community food bank operated by the Free Methodist Church, known as Journey by Grace. The lease would be for five years with an option for two additional five-year terms. The second condition is the building continue to be used for the “betterment of the community through the programs designed, operated and directed with a focus on recreation and guidance of the youth in Monongahela and neighboring communities,” according to the motion

Sealed bids will be accepted until 4 p.m. April 11. Bids will be opened at the next regular council meeting at 7 p.m. April 12. The minimum bid is $20,000, which is the appraised value. All bids must be accompanied by a cashier’s check, certified check or cash in an amount equal to 10 percent of the bid amount. The appraisal and property inspection will be made available during normal business hours and by contacting the city clerk.

In January, Brent Furlong, of GoTime Ministries, approached council about purchasing the former armory at 396 Second St. for a full-time youth recreation center. Furlong said he was also interested in the facility as a place for tutoring, computer classes and possible job training. Furlong currently leases the space from the Journey by Grace.

At that time Mayor Bob Kepics wanted an appraisal of the property before a decision was made by council. In February, council tabled the sale of the armory after Kepics said that there were several interested parties. He added council needed to discuss the issue before making a decision.

In other business, council learned improvements will be made in the city and it won’t cost taxpayers anything. The Monongahela Main Street Committee, in conjunction with the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce, started a program to allow people to “adopt” the 11 planters between First Street and Fifth Street. Patrons will be assigned a planter, which they will plant and take care of for the entire season. A plaque will be attached to the planter with the patrons’ names.

The group contacted Lowe’s and Home Depot for donations of plants and soil. The program has gotten an overwhelming response, which includes a waiting list. Co-chairman and master gardener Peggy Brown said the project will add a pop of color to the downtown.

Main Street Committee member Susan Gruber said the Main Street needs a bit of color. “This will add curb appeal,” she said. The project is expected to be underway in mid-May.

Donated playground equipment from the former Monongahela Elementary Center may soon have a new home. Stefano Nowo, owner of Italian Village Pizza in Monongahela, and Monongahela Neighborhood Watch will pay for the inspection and installation of the playground equipment at Mounds Park in Monongahela. The playground equipment is slated to be inspected Tuesday.

A dilapidated house at 1135 Lawton St., which has been a topic of many council meetings, will finally be torn down. Councilman Tom Caudill said he has received many complaints of snakes and rodents at the property. The property, which was damaged in a fire in July 2015 that killed a resident, is slated for demolition in June.