Public Notice Announced for Sale of Vacant State Street Property

The historic and stately looking building at 1 W. State Street, which has sat empty for some time now, has a buyer.

The announced the public notice for the sale of the former restaurant to Bluestone Developers at its meeting Thursday.

The council will vote on the sale, at its April 21 meeting, after the public has had a chance to comment.

The potential sale is for $650,000, with a $10,000 deposit at the agreement of sale and another $20,000 within 90 days, the public notice states.

The sale is also conditioned upon that there is façade preservation and a conservation easement in order to keep the historical aspects of the building.

Councilwoman Monica Simpson said the developer plans to make the building a multi-business purpose facility that will include restaurants, retail and office space.

Most recently two restaurants leased the property. Brodeur’s On State Street Restaurant was the last occupant and vacated the building November 2009. It’s sat empty since than.

Simpson said she hopes this decision is well received by the residents and community.

"We think it’s the best decision for the property and the borough," she said.

She said this was the only legal offer that has been presented to the borough. They received other letters of interest but no formal offers.

The hope is to bring back the historical aspects of the building, which was originally a post office, and restore it, Simpson said, and then register the building both locally and with the state historical registry.

"Our main goal was to make sure the building would not be taken down," she said. "It is the desire of the community not to have it torn down. The mixed use of the building is a good plan and there will be no change to the exterior, just improvements."

Council President Peter Alyanakian said he is not happy with the sale price but the amount of work that is needed on the building is substantial and with the economy the way it is they had to lower the price.

"They have to put money into it in order for it to survive," he said. "We had two restaurants in there before and they couldn’t make a go of it (because of all the work that’s needed)."

"I’m not happy with the sale price at all. I think it’s too low. But we need to sell it. It’s only hurting the other businesses on State Street," he said.

Councilman Eric Stein said the council balanced many factors; the price, the history, the community’s needs and the business model, when making this decision.

"The multi-use proposal should bring long-term benefits to the community," he said.

Simpson said she would have done anything to retain ownership of the property.

"But we couldn’t do what this firm is going to do," she said. "I think this is the best decision for the borough."

The public is directed to voice their comments via e-mail to Borough Manager Jeff Smith at jasmith@mediaborough.com or during the public comment portions of the borough workshop meeting on April 7 or the regular meeting on April 21.