Borough Hall Site to Become Senior Center?

While it’s still unclear what Phoenixville will do with its 140 Church Street property once the borough hall , it looks unlikely that it will become a senior center, according to The Phoenix.

At its July 9 meeting, after hearing Steve Kambic, executive director of Petra Community Housing, outline a proposal where his group would buy the lot through a joint appraisal with the borough, knock down the present hall, and then erect an affordable housing complex for seniors and those with disabilities in its place, the council blanched.

“I think this doesn’t serve the interests of the community,” councilman Christopher Bauers said.

Middle Ward representative Jenn Mayo and Mayor Leo Scoda were skeptical of the purchasing framework Kambic proposed; which would rely on a joint appraisal to arrive at a sale price, then subtract the cost of environmental remediation and demolishing the hall.

“I don’t think we can do this in a joint manner,” Scoda said. “We own the property and we want to get the best value for the property.”

Mayo added after the meeting that while the Petra proposal will be considered, their pitch was the first of many the council will hear.