Mar 10, 2018 3 min read

Mon Valley Initiative announced at Thursday’s Charleroi Borough Council meeting it will open a satellite office in the borough.

Laura Jean Kahl, the organization’s community outreach specialist, said MVI recently closed on the L-shaped building at 307 Fifth St. and 435 McKean Ave.

Kahl said the organization’s historic relationship with Charleroi and Greater Charleroi Community Development Corp. led to the decision. She said prior to MVI’s restructuring efforts away from being a membership organization, the GCCDC was a member.

“So we thought Charleroi was really the perfect location to expand our Mid-Mon reach,” she said.

Kahl said residential tenants and Upstage Studio are staying in the building, but the organization is in the process of helping the gym find a new location. Kahl said MVI will have a computer lab available for its workforce development program where the gym is currently located. She said a housing counseling program also will be available. She said those programs are operating by appointment only at this time, but they hope to have regular hours before November. Kahl said those interested in making an appointment can call 724-565-8040.

Also Thursday, council voted to seek a commercial realtor for the potential sale or leasing of the borough building. Council President Jerry Jericho said the conversation about the borough building at a previous meeting started out with the idea of renting out the third floor, but there also was the suggestion the borough sell the building.

Jericho said he has no issue with having someone look at the third-floor space. “I’d like to talk to a local realtor to maybe give us some ideas for the third floor,” he said.

Councilman Larry Celaschi said they can look at the options of selling the building and what could be saved in the long haul through eliminating costs such as heating.

“Our budget means – our declining budget means – over the next year, over five years, to a decade are we going to be able to withstand this big of a building?” Celaschi said. He said council also can look into the leasing option for the third floor.

It was not immediately clear whether the borough would rent space in the current building or look for another location for borough offices in the event the borough building is sold.

It was announced Charleroi will hold its Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. March 31 at Trustee Park in the Chamber Plaza. Councilwoman Jody Cheplic said there will be cookies for the children to decorate, prizes and the children will be able to get their photos taken with the Easter Bunny.

Charleroi and Monessen No. 1 fire departments will be holding a Gun and Purse Bash May 5 in Monessen No. 1 Social Hall 15. Doors open at 1 p.m. Hog Fathers BBQ will be catering the event. The cost for tickets is $25 for a purse-only ticket or gun-only ticket, or $40 for both. Tickets can be purchased at the Charleroi Fire Department.