Board approves offer for land

By PATRICK E. LITOWITZ
plitowitz@ncnewsonline.com

The New Castle Area School District will learn if it is working with a motivated seller.

In a special session yesterday afternoon, the school board authorized the district to offer $90,000 for approximately 20 acres owned by Solid Rock Ministry of New Castle Inc. The vacant property, which borders North Scott Street, will be used as part of the $19 million renovation of the Lockley Kindergarten Center. The new facility, the H.W. Lockley Early Learning Center, will house students in kindergarten through second grade.

James Manolis, attorney for Solid Rock Ministry, said last night he wanted to review the offer and discuss it with his client before commenting.

As part of the renovation project, the Pennsylvania Department of Education required appraisals from two independent firms. Richard G. English & Associates of Sharon said the site was worth $80,000. Infinity Valuations & Appraisals of Fombell pegged the value at $90,000.

Business manager Joseph Ambrosini said the district must offer the higher of the two amounts to the property owner. The state will give the district $58,500, which is 65 percent of the $90,000 offer. If the sides agree to a higher amount, Ambrosini said there would be no additional reimbursement.

Solid Rock Ministry purchased the land for $35,000 in January 1997. Applying the U.S. Consumer Price Index, the transaction would equate to $47,500 in 2010.

Last year, the county assessed the property at $21,400. The ministry’s city, county and school taxes amounted to approximately $1,100.

Promises for Pets, an animal advocate organization, offered $125,000 to Solid Rock Ministry in May 2009. The group wanted to build a no-kill shelter on the site but rescinded its agreement after learning of the possible Lockley expansion.

Under the direction of former board President Donna Donati, a community-based group was formed in 2008 to review New Castle’s facility needs.

Voting for the measure were J. Allan Joseph, Karen Humphrey, Fred Mozzocio, Brad Olson Jr., Anna Pascarella and Mary Ann Tofel. Humphrey participated in the meeting by phone. Members Mark Kirkwood, Barbara Razzano and Dr. Marilyn K. Berkely were absent.