Council President’s Resolution to Ask ASD for Vacant Schools Fails

by Jonathan Weaver

A plan asking Armstrong School Board directors to turn over property of two Kittanning Borough schools after the buildings are closed this June was not approved by a majority of Kittanning Borough Council Monday night.

At the end of this school year, Kittanning Junior High, Kittanning Senior High and Ford City Junior/Senior High schools will close and nearly 1,800 students are expected to fill the Armstrong Junior/Senior High school currently under construction in Manor Township.

With that deadline fast approaching, Kittanning Borough Council President Randy Cloak submitted a proposal to fellow council members Monday night that would ask school board directors to turn over the borough properties along Orr Avenue and North McKean Street to the borough.

“With the school district considering reaching out to a consultant, I think the best people to make that decision are Kittanning Borough, as far as what’s going to be happening with our buildings,” Cloak said. “I would prefer to be proactive rather than reactive – I don’t want to be sitting here three years from now and saying ‘Oh, that’s such an eyesore’ when the buildings are falling down.”

Cloak’s plan included creating new housing opportunities at the two schools, relocating Wilbur “Bib” Bowers Community Park to the current high school football field and replacing the current Community Park into condominium-style housing.

Cloak said the plan would increase the borough’s population and tax base – thereby reducing the burden on existing property owners – as well as create more recreational opportunities at the relocated Community Park and reduce vandalism in the residential fourth ward.

“At 27.5 mills, we’re the highest taxed municipality in Armstrong County. It’s not working,” Cloak said. “The police department does a great job, the street department does a great job, our fire departments do a great job with what we have – but the people of Kittanning can no longer shoulder this large burden.”

If approved, council members would work with other elected dignitaries and County planners to develop the properties through grant funding – similar to the process when the local Indiana University of Pennsylvania campus closed and was rebuilt into housing.

But, after a 15-minute debate with council members, a resolution was not signed

First Ward Council Representatives Betsy Wilt and David Croyle said they would’ve felt more comfortable with the resolution if she knew grant funds were available and the idea was presented before Monday evening.

“I’m not necessarily against this – this is just a lot to absorb and understand,” Croyle said.

Councilwoman Joie Pryde was also concerned that Cloak was unsure of the initial cost to take over the properties.

Like Cloak, Councilwoman Kim Fox was concerned with the possibility of the vacant buildings this fall and agreed that the municipality should be aggressive. However, only she and Councilman Wilbur Stitt voted in favor of the motion, and it failed 3-4 – and before a second vote was registered, Cloak withdrew his motion.

Councilman Ange Turco was absent from the meeting.

“I’m not happy sitting around just waiting for something to fall into our lap,” Cloak said.

Council Vice-President Andy Peters called for the vote since Cloak made the motion.

Future Armstrong Senior High Principal James Rummel recommended, and school board directors approved, for varsity, junior high and team (9th grade and 7th-8th grade) football games to be held at the current Kittanning Field this fall after funding has not been solidified yet for a new football stadium on the new school campus. Tennis will also continue at the current sports complex.

Last month, school directors approved issuing a Request for Proposals for a comprehensive study and assessment of community needs in regards to the Kittanning schools and Ford City Junior/Senior High.

School Board Vice-President Christopher Choncek was committed to seeing if any proposals for the community needs analysis are submitted this month.

He said, while Ford City Borough officials and local residents spoke with ideas for the properties during a public hearing in January at Lenape Elementary, no other formal requests for the properties have been submitted by either governmental or non-profit groups.

“No decisions have been made until we make a decision if we’re going to the study,” Choncek said. “But, we’re definitely moving in the right direction trying to figure this out.”

Ford City Councilman Eugene Banks read a request from a resident proposing one of the buildings being converted into a community college or a learning center – such as the Bidwell Cultural and Training Center in Pittsburgh.

Industrial Development Council Executive Director Michael Coonley and County Planning and Development Executive Director Rich Palilla will be working with school district and municipality officials on the assessment.
Coonley said last month that the goal is to get the requests out within the next couple of weeks.

The schools were designated Keystone Opportunity Zones as an incentive for developers in August 2013 by Armstrong County Commissioners.

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