Residents voice concern about property purchase

Swissvale council moved a step closer to implementing its plans for a new public works facility, but the action raised concerns by some residents that the borough acted too hastily and without enough transparency.

Council voted 5- 2 on July 3 to purchase warehouse property at 1927 McCague St. at a cost of $ 370,000, which likely will be converted into a space for public works garage as part of a larger design for the borough headquarters. Council members Darrell Rapp and Abigail Salisbury voted no.

“I realize that the people who serve on council are well- meaning people and it’s almost a volunteer position, but I think that they’re overpaying and I asked if I could get the appraisal in hand so I could review

it,” said William C. Price, 64, a Democratic candidate for borough council. “One of the council members had given me the comparables that were more than a year old and they were not in proximity to what you’re buying. They were using comparables to Stowe Township and I believe that what is being purchased is a rectangular shoebox and, in an industrial area, it should be easier to find better comparables.”

Voting on finalizing the purchase was not on the original meeting agenda, but was a late addition and was only listed as a point of discussion. It quickly went to a vote.

Council also voted to reduce the mandatory waiting period between approval and final sale from 180 to 90 days.

“There are a lot of bright and talented residents in the borough that could help council, but they pushed this to a vote very quickly despite several citizens begging to give us a couple of weeks to help vet this,” Mr. Price said.

Mr. Rapp, who had asked the body to table the discussions on the purchases at a meeting in March, asked for time to review the sale documents and table the agenda, but his motion was voted down.

“I haven’t even had a chance to finish reading it, much less ask questions,” Mr. Rapp said.

An office supply company and an auto detailing shop now occupy the property.

Council also is considering a second real estate deal to buy several properties on Monongahela Avenue and and Irvine Street, which could be used for a new borough building.