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The Warren Redevelopment Authority (RDA) unanimously rejected a revised proposal from the Warren Heritage Community Alliance on Wednesday and voted to seek new demolition bids for the long-vacant building at 231-237 Pennsylvania Ave. W.
The decisions marked a significant shift in negotiations over the future of the downtown property, which the alliance hopes to redevelop as the proposed Warren Marketplace.
The RDA voted to reject a counteroffer the alliance submitted by email Sunday, Aug. 23. RDA members determined that the proposal's rejection of a $200,000 developer's bond amounted to a rejection of the authority's overall offer.
The vote was unanimous, with all five members of the RDA voting to reject the alliance’s counter-offer.
The authority then unanimously approved a second motion to request new demolition bids for the property.
The decision follows earlier negotiations in which the RDA had proposed transferring ownership of the Pennsylvania Avenue property to the alliance under a series of conditions designed to protect the authority from being left with a deteriorating structure if the project failed.
During last month's meeting, alliance representatives indicated they were generally receptive to the framework but said their bylaws required a board vote before formally accepting it.
The alliance has proposed redeveloping the building as the Warren Marketplace, a project supporters say could preserve one of the city's remaining historic downtown structures while creating a new destination for businesses and visitors.
Opposition to preserving the structure has centered largely on the cost and condition of the building.