RDA provides update on marketplace proposal
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During Monday's City Council meeting, RDA Chair Gary Sawtelle provided an update on negotiations surrounding the downtown property at 231-237 Pennsylvania Ave. W., which the city transferred back to the authority in January 2025 for redevelopment.
Sawtelle shared with council that the RDA recently rejected a revised proposal from the Warren Heritage Community Alliance and subsequently presented the organization with a counterproposal designed to keep negotiations moving.
Under the counterproposal, ownership of the property would be transferred to the alliance, which would immediately assume responsibility for safety issues at the site. The agreement also would require a developer's bond of at least $200,000, with the RDA offering up to $5,000 to help offset the cost of obtaining the bond.
Sawtelle told council the bond is intended to protect the city and RDA if the redevelopment project fails and the property ultimately requires demolition.
The proposal establishes several deadlines for the project. The property would have to be transferred by Oct. 31. Drainage issues affecting neighboring properties would have to be addressed within one year, sidewalks would have to be certified safe by an independent engineer within two years, and the building would have to be open to the public and code-compliant within five years.
If those conditions are not met, the RDA would retain the ability to reclaim the property, with the developer's bond available to help cover potential demolition costs.
Sawtelle told council members that the alliance's board chair had recently contacted him to say the organization was consulting with legal counsel and reviewing the RDA's counterproposal. No additional communication had been received as of Monday's meeting.
Council members asked about the timeline for reaching an agreement. Sawtelle said he would like to see the matter resolved at the RDA's next meeting, scheduled for Aug. 26.
Mayor David Wortman noted the city has become increasingly concerned about the length of time the property has remained vacant, as well as safety and liability issues and the effect the deteriorating building may have on surrounding downtown businesses.
The property has been the subject of considerable debate over whether it should be rehabilitated as part of the proposed Warren Marketplace or demolished.
Although the council opened the floor for public comment prior to discussion with the RDA, no members of the public who were present at the meeting chose to speak on the issue.
During council discussion, Sawtelle was asked what would happen if the alliance does not accept the proposal by the Oct. 31 deadline.
He said that, in his personal opinion, and not speaking on behalf of the full RDA, demolition would likely be necessary if the alliance cannot move forward.
"I think we have to demo the property," Sawtelle said, while emphasizing that such a decision would require a vote by the RDA.
No action was taken by City Council. The update was presented for informational purposes as negotiations over the future of the Pennsylvania Avenue property continue.