CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Efforts to build a three-story annex to the Clarion County Courthouse took another step last week when Clarion County Commissioners approved a letter to Clarion Borough President Carol Lapinto and Clarion Borough Solicitor John Marshall requesting the vacating of North Jefferson Place.Clarion Borough Council must approve the vacating of the street to build the annex as planned. The Clarion Borough Zoning Hearing Board, a separate board, denied an earlier request by commissioners for a zoning waiver regarding the height of the annex.
Borough Council said it supported the concept when it was originally presented and would proceed when the county was ready to move ahead with detailed drawings and financing. The estimated $8 million project includes the annex and extensive interior renovation of the courthouse.
Some concerns were raised regarding the elimination of the Main Street access for the Grace Lutheran Church on Madison Street and the traditional use of North Jefferson Place for carnival attractions during Autumn Leaf Festival.
Commissioners Wayne Brosius and Butch Campbell approved the following letter. Greg Faller was absent, but will also be included on the letter. The letter approved at the August 26 meeting stated:
“This correspondence is written on behalf of the Commissioners of Clarion County relative to the construction of the annex to the Clarion County Courthouse. Specifically, the County of Clarion is requesting that the Borough of Clarion proceed to vacate North Jefferson Place in accordance with 8 Pa. C.S.A. 1731, et seq. for purposes of constructing the annex such that North Jefferson Place is vacated by the Borough of Clarion no later than March 1, 2015. Specifically, the County is requesting that the Borough of Clarion vacate North Jefferson Place as follows:
The street of North Jefferson Place approximately two hundred feet between Main Street and Madison Road including all side curbs and sidewalks appurtenant thereto as se forth on the preliminary Clarion County Courthouse site plan attached hereto.”
Brosius said the county would not likely request the street be closed until March if the request is approved. At earlier meetings, the commissioners expected bids for the construction of the project to be let in December and opened in January.
