The state Department of Community and Economic Development needs more time.
On June 13, the Times Observer submitted a Right-to-Know request to DCED in an attempt to obtain a copy of the fiscal monitoring review report that was completed on a $500,000 anchor building grant issued to the City of Warren in 2010.
The grant was subsequently funneled to GRO-Warren, an economic development entity, and spent on the failed Allegheny Center for the Arts project on Liberty Street.
In response, DCED Agency Open Records Officer Jennifer Fogarty sent a letter, dated June 20, invoking a clause in the law that allows for a 30-day extension.
"This is an interim response, not a final response, to your request," the letter said. "You are hereby notified that your request is being reviewed for the reason(s) checked below, and this agency will require an additional 30 days...until July 20, 2012, to which to response to your request."
The reason cited in the letter for the extension was, "Compliance with your request may require the redaction of certain information that is not subject to access under RTKL (Right-to-Know Law)."
On June 18, a Right-to-Know request was also submitted to the City of Warren, seeking the same document.
Councilman Sam Harvey indicated at Monday's City Council meeting that council was unable to release the document because it is part of an ongoing investigation. He did not indicate the agency which is performing the investigation.