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Redevelopment Authority considers $90,000 offer from United Refining for two blighted parcels on East 26th/French Street
Summary
The Redevelopment Authority reviewed a $90,000 purchase proposal from United Refining/Country Fair to convert two ARPA-acquired blighted parcels at 26 East 26th Street and French Street into a parking lot. Staff recommended waiving a $10,000 escrow, removing an outdated right of reverter and using an enforcement mortgage; the board deferred final action to January or a special meeting.
The Redevelopment Authority of the City of Erie on Dec. 8 discussed a development proposal from United Refining (operating as Country Fair) to buy two ARPA-acquired parcels at 26 East 26th Street and a lot on French Street for $90,000 to construct a parking lot with lighting and paved access to French Street.
Aaron, the authority’s executive director, told the board the parcels were declared blighted, were subject to eminent domain earlier in the process, and had been cleaned of dumped vehicles and debris after about a year of court proceedings. "We were about in court for a year, so then we cleaned the property up and we finally gotten to the point to list the properties," he said. Staff reported the authority is roughly $58,000 "in between just compensation and all of the cleaning costs that we've incurred on the property."
Staff said the developer’s proposal includes lighting, paving, parking-lot footings and related site work. Aaron recommended the board waive the $10,000 escrow requirement, remove the old "right of reverter" in favor of an enforcement mortgage and to satisfy remaining obligations once the parking lot is completed. "My recommendation to the board is to waive the escrow requirement of $10,000," he said, while proposing the enforcement mortgage remain in place.
Board members pressed staff about neighborhood impacts and traffic safety, noting the parcel’s proximity to a school-district property and several residential units. The chair raised concerns that opening access from French Street could create a cut-through route; members asked that lighting be handled sensitively so it deters unwanted activity without creating excessive light for adjacent residents. Staff said any development will require city zoning and planning approvals and that provisions addressing cut-through traffic and lighting can be included in the development agreement.
The packet shows the offer was dated Nov. 24 and is valid for 60 days. Staff told the board it can return the proposal at the authority’s January meeting or at a short special meeting; the board took no final sale vote on Dec. 8.
Next steps: staff will consult with the authority’s realtor and attorney, refine development-agreement language to address neighbors and lighting, and bring a finalized proposal back to the board in January or at a convened special meeting.
