Market House future in limbo, no interest from developers

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The borough's hopes for the future of the Market House were dashed today, at least temporarily. At a special meeting for the opening of bids, no bids were opened. Why? Because there weren't any. No bids were received. Rebecca Denlinger, assistant borough manager and community and economic development director, made the announcement at the ten-minute meeting, with a dozen or so people attending. The borough had hoped developers would submit expressions of interest and bids for leasing the property.

Denlinger said officials will be asking "six interested parties" why they decided not to submit bids. She said two bids had been expected to be submitted by the deadline. Denlinger explained that the borough has the option of restarting the process of soliciting bids.

Resident Frank Doutrich asked if the borough would move forward on improvements or renovations to the Market House without any lease agreement. Denlinger said it would not. Officials had previously discussed making upgrades to the building, depending on its future use. Renovations up to $1 million were contemplated for upgrades to lighting, flooring and bathrooms.

The Market House, which has been in operation since 2005 (after a shutdown in 1994), closed at the end of the day on December 23, 2017 due to waning interest.


Comments

Anonymous said…
Wow! Why is Ms. Denlinger going after the ones she thought would invest in this market house? Do not risk the taxpayers time on rehashing possible interests and invest in this historic gem.

January 5, 2018 at 10:43 PM
Anonymous said…
Well the bourgh did it again put the cart before the horse were so sure that somone would want the market now what now all we have is another empty building standing in Columbia and we sure have alot of them way to go
January 6, 2018 at 8:52 AM
Anonymous said…
use it to expand space for codes dept if it is so despertley needed
January 6, 2018 at 10:08 AM
Anonymous said…
Call me, I'll make it a market again! Just Thursday's!
January 6, 2018 at 3:02 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree make the offices you need in there and you won't have to move.
January 6, 2018 at 8:04 PM
Anonymous said…
Advertise it for lease with a fixed number. Forget the RFP crap.
January 7, 2018 at 11:17 PM
Anonymous said…
use half for codes and lease out they other side to something else
January 8, 2018 at 3:23 PM
Anonymous said…
why are we paying Rebecca so much to bring in ideas from other towns?????
January 8, 2018 at 3:26 PM
Anonymous said…
I agree Rebecca gets paid from the borough and doesn't live here our taxes pay her.
January 8, 2018 at 9:04 PM
Anonymous said…
the borough is getting into the reality of these buildings ,what are they doing with hotel locust? 4th and locust lot? a lot on 100 block of walnut? are they going to give them to a developer for a $1 like the lose on 208 210 locust? come on it is easy to spend other peoples money. it seams like they have to much money 40000 for a fence???? its tax money give the tax payers a break...
January 9, 2018 at 9:25 AM
Anonymous said…
no pain no gain
January 9, 2018 at 10:54 PM
Anonymous said…
Rebecca Denlinger is doing such a bang up job with economic development, she gets promoted to borough manager at the end of the year. Why!
January 10, 2018 at 1:07 PM
Anonymous said…
they had to make a amendment to a by law to make the position
January 10, 2018 at 8:00 PM
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