More disagreements surround leaders in the Johnstown community and what the city’s future holds.
“We’re doing wonderful work here at the Pasquerilla Conference Center. We have been since 2003. We’re a regional asset,” Mark Pasquerilla told WTAJ.
Pasquerilla’s company, Crown American, has leased the Pasquerilla Conference Center for more than ten years now, “The city has not put one cent into this building.”
However, according to councilman Jack Williams, Crown American hasn’t been paying to use the facility either. Their contract says they don’t have to until they make a profit on it, “We were told that by 2007 it was anticipated the city would begin seeing some revenue. Thirteen years later, we’ve received nothing,” Williams said.
So now Williams along with Charlene Stanton, both members of Johnstown’s City Council, want to ask for an appraisal at the next meeting, “It’s strictly for the appraisal for the possible and potential sale to be sold down the line,” Williams explained.
If approved they could sell it, but the buyer would have to honor the lease agreement with Crown American, which lasts through 2018 and has a 5 year extension option. Williams says they want to make it taxable again, “That property that was there before was in some sort of taxation. I’m not trying to say it was worth a whole lot of money, but I think it’s time for the city to liquidate.”
Pasquerilla feels that they are doing their part. On Thursday he told us they are good citizens and part of the solution for Johnstown. They have held many events at the center, including part of Showcase for Commerce.
Pasquerilla added that he and the center are committed to serving the area and that means continuing to provide the services and events they have over the years.
Williams told WTAJ that this resolution will be on the agenda at next week’s city council meeting. He also said that he doesn’t expect it to pass, but he will continue to put it on the agenda for future meetings.