The Office of Economic and Community Development has received an offer for a home the agency is building in the Second Ward Neighborhood Revitalization Area.
The OECD and Colin Johnston agreed on a price of $129,000 for the house at 52 Elm St., Bradford City Council announced at Tuesday’s meeting when they authorized the sale.
“It’s selling before they’re even finished,” said Mayor Tom Riel, who said it counters the sentiments of naysayers to the program.
Council approved payment for several items that are part of the project, including $8,500 to Sarge’s Drywall for the installation of drywall; $2,008.24 to I.D. Booth Inc. for a tankless hot water heater and rough-in plumbing materials; $1,200 to Hocker Residential Excavation Service for the installation of gas service; and $926.71 to Bisett Building Center for other materials.
Also at the meeting, council introduced an amendment increasing the maximum fine a property owner might pay if they fail to provide a buyer with a copy of the certificate of compliance before a sale is finalized. The certificate must be certified by the code enforcement officer.
The code formerly stated that someone who violates the provision must pay a fine between $100 and $600.
The amendment, passed Tuesday on the first of two readings, states the violator “pay a fine of not less than the cost of the required inspection plus $100, not to exceed $1,000.”
Council accepted a bid of $12,245 from Kane Lawn & Garden LLC for landscaping in the city’s downtown Streetscape area, Veterans Square and facilities of the OECD.
It was the only bid the city received.
“We sent proposals to all the landscaping firms in our area,” noted Sara Andrews, OECD executive director. She added that she was pleased with the company’s proposal. “I’m very confident they’re going to do an excellent job.”
The landscaping will be paid for with operational funds from the OECD’s facilities accounts.
Regarding a property at 319 Jackson Ave. that is in the McKean County Tax Claim Repository, council also declined its sale because it’s been deemed beyond the scope of renovations.
They also approved the 2018 allocation of $4,800 to the Greater Bradford Senior Activity Center Inc.
