The least of all evils - The backstory of the borough's blighted property

208-210 Locust Street

It was considered the best of a pile of bad options: Columbia Borough's recent acquisition of a blighted property on Locust Street.

208-210 Locust Street, formerly owned by Samuel L. and Cynthia L. Bigler, was conveyed to the borough for $51,911.17 - the amount of the borough’s lien. The acquisition was subject to the Biglers paying off the mortgage and any non-borough liens.

The property has long been a thorn in the town's side due to its slow and continual decline. The situation was exacerbated when it was thought to be in imminent danger of collapse in June 2015. The incident prompted responses from emergency personnel and building engineers. The structure was subsequently reinforced and its facade wrapped in Tyvek.

The possibility of the borough acquiring the property was previously discussed at the April 10, 2017 council meeting, in which council weighed its options but found no easy answers.

Steven Kaufhold, the borough's manager of code enforcement, initially questioned the wisdom of an acquisition: "I don't see how this would benefit the community whatsoever," Kaufhold said. "We would end up basically eating a $51,000 debt, and now we would have a building that is also in terrible disrepair that at any given time we could have to stick more money into just making this a safe building." Kaufhold said the building is already in the blighted program and advised allowing the process to take its course in that direction.

Borough Manager Greg Sahd responded: "It still could take its course in that direction. It's teed up for the Land Bank." Sahd quoted from a summary of conditions that triggered a blighted condition for this property: It's been vacant for five years; it's condemned; and the utilities are disconnected. The Lancaster County Vacant Property Reinvestment Board determined the property to be blighted on March 17, 2016. The Lancaster County Planning Commission and the Columbia Borough Planning Commission certified blight in 2016. The Reinvestment Board referred the property to the Lancaster County Redevelopment Authority for acquisition on July 26, 2016. "Doing nothing increases the possibility - the potentiality - of it costing us more in the long run," Sahd said.

Kaufhold reiterated the risks of an acquisition:"If the borough acquires this, it is now our problem solely. We've now relinquished all our leverage whatsoever." He said there may be different avenues available. "I don't feel the Land Bank is going to be an outlet for this property. This will be expensive enough that the land bank may not give the buying price for this."

Council President Kelly Murphy expressed frustration with how the Biglers have handled the matter. He cited their lack of response for updates, as well as continual requests for time extensions."This has been going on in excess of two years with little to no action being done," Murphy said. "To me, this is a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation." 

Murphy acknowledged Kaufhold's advice to let the process run its course but asked where the issue is in the process. There's "no way in hell anything should take this long to get done," Murphy said.

Mayor Leo Lutz agreed on the need to take action."It's like a black eye in your downtown . . . or like a missing tooth," he said of the property. "I think it's time to do something about it."

Kaufhold asked about the intended use of the building once it's acquired, but council did not appear to have a clear-cut answer.

In April 2017, 208-210 Locust Street was listed at realtor.com for $49,900, down from previous asking prices.

Pre-school pals at the Columbia Library Monday at 10:30 a.m.

Learn to paint like a master at Columbia Crossing May 25

Learn to paint like a master artist with Master Artist Ange. Get inspired working on our beautiful deck and take in scenic views of the Susquehanna River as you paint your masterpiece. No previous experience required! It’s easy and rewarding!

Cost: $40

Price includes all art instruction & materials to complete a 16” x 20” acrylic painting and a complimentary glass of wine.

For this month's painting we will be creating Monet's Water Lilies.

Register online at:

https://artpaintingcolumbiamay.eventbrite.com

Location: Columbia Crossing | 41 Walnut Street| Columbia, PA

info@columbiacrossing.org |717-449-5607

School board weighs move of borough offices and police to DAC building

The Columbia School Board is weighing a potential offer from Columbia Borough to have the borough offices and the Columbia Police Department join them at the District Administration Center at 200 North Fifth Street. Currently, only the district offices and the board room are located there. Borough offices and Columbia Police are located in the Municipal Building at 308 Locust Street.

According to two board directors, Kathleen Hohenadel and Charles Leader, the idea of a move was suggested at this month's Columbia Borough Community Development meeting. Hohenadel said the issue was announced at the meeting as if it was a "done deal." She said Borough Manager Greg Sahd stated that Tom Strickler, the district's director of operations, told him that the school board is in favor of the move. Strickler refuted that notion, however, and told the board that he never said that. He said he told Sahd that he needs to contact the school district and that the board may be open to have the discussion. He added that he told Sahd to email the school board president.

A joint feasibility study might be undertaken to determine pros and cons of the move.  Hohenadel said the borough has put out a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) for borough properties including the Municipal Building (Borough Hall), the Market House, and the former Columbia No. 1 Fire Company building on Front Street. If all aspects of the plan fall into place - among them, the Municipal Building finding another use - borough offices theoretically could then move into the DAC. The borough would pay for use of the center, thereby helping the district, and in the process helping the borough and helping the downtown.

Hohenadel brought up several concerns about the plan, including accommodations for Luthercare and adequate square footage for additional offices. A Luthercare child care facility is currently housed at the DAC. Adequate parking for additional personnel is another issue of concern, according to Director Barry Ford. Ford also said the move would lose the "walk-in" aspect of keeping offices downtown. Both Leader and Ford asked who will pay for the study.

The idea of such a move is not completely new. Mayor Leo Lutz floated the idea at a previous school board meeting.

At discussion's end, Board President Keith Combs said he will contact Sahd to set up a meeting. He said he wants information from Luthercare and borough council before considering a feasibility study.

Teachers get mini-grants from Columbia Education Foundation

The following Columbia teachers received acknowledgment of 2017-18 mini-grants from the Columbia Education Foundation at Thursday's School Board meeting:

School board votes to collect its share of real estate transfer tax

At Thursday's Columbia Borough School Board meeting, the board voted to collect a portion of the real estate transfer tax in the borough. According to Superintendent Robert Hollister, the district had not been collecting its half of the one percent tax levied on sales of real estate. The discovery was made by Acting Business Manager Keith Ramsey during an audit of the books. 

Hollister said a 1965 law provides for the tax to be split evenly between the district and the borough. Since the law was enacted, however, the borough has been collecting the tax and keeping all of it. 

"The school district's been out that money ever since," Hollister said. The amount lost approaches $100,000 on any given year, according to Hollister. "We're thrilled that we're finally tuned into that," he said, adding that the district will start collecting the revenue.

Board Director Kathleen Hohenadel explained the history behind the arrangement.  She said that when the law was enacted, an agreement was made allowing the school district to collect the per capita tax and the borough to collect the real estate transfer tax. The latter brought in far less money, because home ownership was more stable at the time.

All directors present voted to pass the resolution except for Cole Knighton, who attended via phone. Knighton said he couldn't hear the discussion. It was unclear whether Knighton voted on the issue.

Columbia students recognized at board meeting

Students excelling in various subjects were recognized at Thursday's School Board meeting. Many students were unable to attend the meeting due to their participation in a high school concert that evening. The following students were recognized: