April 17th Recap
/April 17th Meeting Recap
Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in achieving our goal in rescinding the condemnation of Harden Place last Wednesday evening. The Borough council chose not to bring a motion to the floor to rescind the condemnation of Harden Place. Many Hays family members were in attendance as well as the volunteers who have all sacrificed time, energy and money toward saving the mansion. Unbeknownst to us, the council announced that the Foundation would need to place a $30,000 escrow deposit up so that the taxpayers of the Borough would not be exposed to funding the demolition this year in the event that we fail in our efforts. This was obviously a shock to us since this was never a condition precedent to rescinding the condemnation. Based on a telephone conversation with An Lewis of the Steel Valley Council of Governments last Friday, all the Borough would need to do is place the demolition grant naming Harden Place on the 2014 application for Community Development Block Grant funding from Allegheny County HUD and proceed with no impact to the taxpayers of Munhall whatsoever.
Also, currently, the budget for demolition grants as a part of the Boroughs 2013 application has not yet been finalized. We were explicitly given five items to cure in order to rescind. We have accomplished most all of the items except for guttering and painting of the eaves and other exterior portions of the structure. These items will require a lot of money wherein we will need to make repairs the roof prior to completing them. We do not wish to expend funds twice for the same repairs knowing that our resources are limited at this time and the remaining unfinished scope of repairs is reasonable to understand. The mansion has never looked better in over 18 years!
Volunteer efforts will continue in the weeks and months ahead. Also at the meeting, the lawyer representing our adjacent landowner provided a dissenting overview that Harden Place is inhibiting his client, Bryler Development, LLC, Mr. Steve Chupinka’s ability to develop homes due to the condition of the mansion. We do not believe that the current condition of Harden Place has anything to do with the current viability of their subdivision or their lack of success. Obviously, his comments were not well received by those in attendance. What I can’t understand is how the potential restoration of Harden Place will negatively impact the area. Quite to the contrary, the restoration of Harden Place and 17-1/2 acre hillside will create increased property values and positive economic impact to the entire area, once completed. I also am convinced that the taxpayers of Munhall would never be exposed to, or have to shoulder the burden of tearing down the mansion if we fail in our efforts. Our intentions are to raise the necessary funds, close on the property once the condemnation is lifted, and fund approximately $30,000 in delinquent property taxes into the Boroughs coffers. As I have stated in the previous two Borough council meetings, we cannot raise the necessary donations unless the condemnation is rescinded. Who wants to contribute to a condemned structure?
Harden Place is one of the most historic structures in western Pennsylvania and up until 2000, had been continuously owned and lived in by the Hays family since it was built. It represents 181 years of family legacy and the history of all who passed through its walls over 10 generations. We continue our quest to see it saved and believe that the residents of Munhall Pennsylvania and greater Pittsburgh deserve to see it saved too.
See the full prepared statement and recap, click here.