Nov 28, 2017 2 min read

A collapsing building has forced the permanent closure of the neighboring Citizens Bank branch in a blighted section of downtown Monessen.

The bank announced the closure of the branch at 560 Donner Ave. in a letter last week to its Mon Valley customers.

“Rest assured your safe deposit box is secure,” the bank’s Senior Vice President Billy Sprinzl stated in the letter. “However, due to safety concerns, we are not permitted to enter the branch to allow you access to it.”

The bank sustained roof damage when the building at 550 Donner Ave. began to collapse. The damage was discovered in mid-October, Monessen solicitor Steve Toprani said.

He said a Westmoreland County judge signed an emergency demolition order for the brick building, which used to house a florist. The city hopes to demolish the building next month.

The city hasn’t been able to accurately identify the owner of the collapsing building because of conflicting records at Westmoreland County Courthouse, Toprani said.

He said the owner is listed as Monessen Redevelopment Authority, which has nothing in its minutes indicating it purchased the building. There are several buildings in poor condition in the 500 block of Donner Avenue because of prior, unsuccessful attempts to repurpose them.

Citizens Bank intends to send another letter to the safe deposit box holders to let them know when it’s safe to retrieve their items.

It also reminded its customers the Monessen Park branch is still open a couple of miles away on Grand Boulevard.