Property Rezoning in New Kensington to Drive Commercial …
New Kensington’s city council has approved the initiation of a rezoning process for a property near the downtown area. The area in question, located at Constitution Boulevard and Seventh Street, is currently categorized as light industrial but is set to be rezoned as general commercial.
Originally, council members focused solely on the parcel at 700 Constitution, which was previously occupied by General Electric, Jones & Laughlin Steel, and Metalworking Machinery. The buildings on the site were demolished in 2018, erasing the locally famous graffiti that bore the iconic declaration, “I (heart) Biff.”
Real estate agent and city planning commission member Marvin Birner suggested that the rezoning should cover the entire light industrial area, bounded by Constitution Boulevard, Seventh Street, Freeport Road, Short Street, and Ridge Avenue. Surprisingly, the area includes not only industrial sites but also residential homes and a church.
City engineer Tony Males explains that the motivation behind seeking the zoning change stemmed from an application to use the land for storage, which was subsequently withdrawn. This type of usage does not align with the city’s vision for the area, which aims to foster commercial development and attract various businesses.
While commercial zoning allows for diverse possibilities, storage is not one of them, according to Males. Mayor Tom Guzzo voiced the desire for the rezoned area to include a grocery store to complement the growing number of businesses in downtown New Kensington.
The rezoning proposal will now be reviewed and recommended by the planning commission during its next meeting. Notably, the commission had previously voted in favor of commercial zoning years ago, but the initiative was not pursued further.
The property in question has seen fluctuating prices over the years, with the original asking price of $645,000 being reduced to $495,000 due to interest from potential buyers. Previously, discussions were held regarding mixed commercial and residential use, but the plans fell apart.
Jim Duff, the executor of Rufus F. Duff’s estate, who is the late founder of Metalworking Machinery, has communicated with city officials concerning the property’s potential best use. While Duff wishes to see the property become an asset to the city, he was unaware of the city’s current efforts to rezone the area. However, he stated that he is willing to collaborate with the city to complete the process and eventually sell the property.
FAQ:
Q: What is the purpose of the rezoning process?A: The rezoning process aims to transition a property from light industrial to general commercial, fostering commercial development in the area.
Q: What motivated the city to seek the zoning change?A: The city’s motivation for the zoning change was triggered by an application to use the land for storage, which does not align with the desired use for the area.
Q: What are some potential uses for the rezoned area?A: The rezoned area could accommodate various businesses, with the mayor expressing the desire for a grocery store to complement the growing business scene in downtown New Kensington.
Q: Has the property been listed for sale?A: The property is not currently listed for sale, but discussions have taken place regarding its potential sale and best use.