Clarion County Commissioners have requested vacating the street for a construction of a proposed three-story annex.

“We have huge concerns,” said Tracy Becker of the Clarion Chamber. “Whenever the commissioners unveiled their proposal, we reached out to them right a way because that was our concern.  They are working with us.  Of course, we won’t be able to use the whole lot, but we could use at least half of the lot.  Swank’s Steel City Amusements contract is up this year, but the Chamber will talk to them regarding the availability of land next year.  I can’t give them a contract until I know what is going to be happening.  We will do a walk through with the Commissioners and Swank.”

“It’s going to be downsized; we just don’t know how much at this point.  When the Swank’s come in, we’ll reach out to the commissioners again at some point in the week, just so we can get an idea and visually see it.  Do we look at other avenues that could possibly be blocked off for the kiddie rides?  They may have to bring in alternate rides.”

Another challenge for ALF this year is the loss of the large parking lot at Clarion University between Nair and Carrier Halls normally used for staging much of the parade but is unavailable because of construction on the lot.  The Chamber previously had an average of 50 units in the lot.

“We’ve been working with Ric Taylor at the university in regard to using other lots,” said Becker. “We have a challenging year this year, but they’ve been great to work with for a solution.  We have it worked out, and I think it’s going to be even better than in the past.”