RSS | 
Twitter
| 
Be a fan!
Commissioners to OK deal on Cumberland property
Jason Foster of Smithfield-based CJF Holdings will pay $83,703.84 for more than 11 acres at Route 21 and West George Street. When reached Wednesday, Foster said he is thinking about building a commercial truck stop on the parcel, but he hasn't made a final decision yet.
"I know it isn't really near the interstate, but that area sees a lot of truck traffic, so I think it might be a good location for something like that," he said.
Foster owns the former Rich's Mobile Home factory in Khedive and leases the building to Halliburton, which provides services to area gas wells.
Rate This Story:
1 the lowest - 5 the highest
Current rating:
The state Department of Transportation wants to use the smaller portion of land when it realigns the intersection. The redevelopment authority will work with PennDOT regarding the land as the project moves forward.
The remaining 11.12 acres will be sold to Foster.
"We are anxious to do this, because we could use the cash," Commissioner Pam Snyder said.
The county tried to sell the land at auction in April, but bids fell short of its appraised value, so the county entertained private offers.
The county obtained the land in 2004 as payment in lieu of taxes through the bankruptcy of LTV Steel Co. LTV owned the Nemacolin Mine, and the property near Junction Deli used to have the mine's No. 4 shaft.
Foster also recently purchased a building and some land at Meadow Ridge Business Park in Mt. Morris. He said he doesn't know how those acquisitions will be used, but he considers the purchase a long-term investment.
Because of the property deal and the development it may bring to the business park, commissioners are expected to hire today an engineering firm to conduct a traffic impact study of the Interstate 79 interchange at Mt. Morris. French Engineering of Smithfield will be paid no more than $19,187 for the work and the county will use money from its liquid fuels fund to pay for the cost.
Commissioners said the study is necessary to determine what roadway improvements are needed and to obtain state funding to pay for the work.
Meadow Ridge Business Park was developed 11 years ago by Regional Industrial Development Corp. of Southwestern Pennsylvania and Greene County Industrial Development Authority.
However, development at the park has been slow because infrastructure issues with the water and electricity systems, Snyder said. A recent water line extension solved one problem and Allegheny Energy plans to make the necessary upgrades to remedy the other problem within two years, she added.
Now, commissioners want to make sure the roads will be able to deal with any extra traffic.
"We're getting to the point where we can see significant growth there and we need to project into the future to make sure we can handle it," Snyder said.
Truck Stop : 9/17/2009
For years I have thought a truck stop would be a good addition to the area. Of course, I was thinking of in the area close to the interstate, but this is also a good location for one. A truck stop not only provides valuable service to the trucking industry, but also to the general public traveling by car. They are open 24/7 and most have pretty decent food along with clean rest rooms. The added employment opportunities would also be a blessing. Mr. Foster, I hope to see your idea become a reality.
Truck Stop : 9/17/2009
Very good, commissioners. Now, what can we do about all the vacant land across from the airport, where Wal-Mart is the lone tenant? I see we have a McDonald's being planned for an already congested area, but we need another eating establishment to compliment the Bob Evan's Restaurant. Mr. McNay is doing his part to develop the area, how about you?
