Lycoming Commissioners vote to put Executive Plaza up for sale

Executive Plaza. SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

The county-owned Executive Plaza is now on the market after a listing contract was signed with a local real estate company.

Although the listing price is still unknown, Lycoming County commissioners signed the contract with Real Estate Excel, a Girio Realty Co., to put the property at 330 Pine Street on the market.

To sell or not to sell has been a topic of discussion around the property for many years.

“It's literally been a project of mine for the last 10 years,” said Mya Toon, the county's chief procurement officer, who presented the item for commissioners' approval.

The plan is to have the commissioner move his office to the third floor of the Third Street Plaza Office Building.

“Once we start consolidating buildings further, we can move this, get it sold, so we can get it back on the tax rolls,” said Commissioner Scott Metzger.

Selling excess county-owned properties was part of his 2011 campaign promise, said Commissioner Tony Mussare, who is serving his final year in office.

“We had plenty and we've sold a number of packages, and this will be one of the biggest,” said Mussare. “It takes time.”

“Yes, because over time you even understand everything that has been, frankly, half the battle. New boards understand if it's a big decision because the decision and then just a process the legal process involved to sell real estate on the part of a government .” Toon said.

In other action, the commissioner authorized American Rescue Plan Act funds for the following:

Jersey Shore Area Joint Water Authority, $250,000 to be used for the construction of the Larry's Creek Water Treatment facility.

Raffaele M. Colone Jr./Trees for Life LLC/Woodrich, $43,600.

Nippenose Tavern, $50,000, reflecting an increase due to a corrected error on their tax return.

Community Arts Center, $50,000.

Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition, $10,589.

Special Olympics, $16,679 to support their programs.

Habitat for Humanity Affordable Housing Construction, $100,000.

Under personnel, the commissioners approved the hiring of the following for the positions and pay levels listed: Kellen Love, full-time substitute, transfer station truck driver, $19.62 per hour; Christopher Short, new position full-time, maintenance III in Facilities Management, $28.56 per hour; Austin Leatherman, new full-time position, Maintenance III in Facilities Management, $29.40 per hour; Michael Showers, full-time substitute assistant public defender, $60,500 per year; Kadyn Heisman, full-time substitute, executive secretary in Judge Linhardt's office, $16.38 per hour; and Andrew Arnold, full-time substitute, youth welfare officer, $21.95 per hour.

Other agenda items approved by the commissioners were: a direct compensation agreement with AEROTEK; a memorandum of understanding with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO; Opioid Wave 2 Pharmacy Settlements Involving Teva and Allergan and Pharmacies; awarding bids to DSC Solutions for janitorial services at the health and wellness center; bill of sale with Greater Valley EMS in the amount of $33,800 for the old coroner's vehicle; and a resolution to apply for a $100,000 Department of Conservation and Natural Resources grant to update the county's recreation, park, open space and greenways plan. It will be matched by county staff time and funds.

The next meeting with the commissioners will be at 10 a.m. April 6 in the Commissioners' Boardroom, 1st Floor Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St.