MORGANTOWN – The Morgantown Land Reuse and Preservation Agency effort to clean up Pennsylvania Avenue took a significant step Wednesday as the agency approved purchase and sale agreements for three properties in the target area.
Of particular note, the agency approved an agreement to purchase two parcels — 635 and 641 Pennsylvania Ave. — for $101,000.
The property, owned by Jeremy Milam, has become a focus for some residents in lower Greenmont who view it as a magnet for unwanted activity.
The combined parcels cover .04 acres and include a 2,120 square-foot structure built in 1922 according to the county’s online parcel viewer.
In March, the agency approved the purchase of the neighboring property, at 657 Pennsylvania Ave., for a price not to exceed $60,000.
Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee said that deal remains in process.
“This property has not been transferred yet as the parties address issues identified in the inspection period, but we do expect to complete the purchase as agreed,” he said.
Additionally, the agency approved a purchase agreement Wednesday with Smith Rentals to buy .2 acres at 563 Pennsylvania Ave., at a cost of $48,000.
An encroachment from the single-family dwelling on a neighboring parcel will be the subject of a subdivision request at Thursday’s Morgantown Planning Commission meeting at the city’s request.
Lastly, a $25,000 agreement with Blue Hammer Rentals will transfer a triangular parcel totaling 1.03 acres between Deckers Creek and Decker Avenue to the city.
Work done on the agency’s behalf by developer and Greenmont advocate Adelheid Schaupp has breathed new life into an effort that had bogged down significantly, prompting the city to consider clawing back some or all of the $600,000 in American Rescue Plan Act money committed to purchase and raze dilapidated properties along Pennsylvania Avenue.
Greenmont residents expressed their frustration over the lack of progress at the agency’s two previous meetings.
“I am happy to say I’ve finally made connection with one of the last property owners on that lower section of Pennsylvania Avenue. She is willing to play ball with us,” Schaupp said. “Everything along that stretch, we’ve had conversations with people and either worked out deals or are in the process of working out a deal. So, that takes care of a large section of dilapidated housing down there.”
Schaupp went on to say the city’s code enforcement office is working with the owner of 629 Pennsylvania Ave. to tear down the vacant home that was destroyed by fire in July.
“On behalf of our agency and the city, thank you,” Satterfield said to Schaupp, noting agency member Jessica McDonald, attorney Ryan Simonton and Development Services Director Rickie Yeager have also helped move the process along.
“These folks have done great work but thank you very much. Your leadership, your relationships; you were able to have a lot of conversations that we weren’t. So, thank you very much.”
