Last week bricks broke off of Johnstown’s Conrad building, closing the sidewalk around the more than century-old building. The building is supposed to help revitalize the city.
Wednesday night people took their concerns to city council about the dangers the building presents. A representative from the Johnstown Business District Development Corporation was there to answer questions about what’s next and how they move forward.
“We understand very much that this is a big problem and we hope to get the project underway or to say that we are unable to do that within the next two months max,” JBDDC attorney Mike Sahlaney said.
The JBDDC is a nonprofit in the city. Their mission is to develop buildings in downtown Johnstown as funding becomes available.
“JBDDC was asked to submit a grant application to the Economic Development Agency of the federal government to obtain a grant to fix the Conrad building.”
The grant was awarded as long as the group was able to get a tenant, get additional grants, and finances in order. The tenant was supposed to be Cambria Rowe, but they decided to close their doors at the end of August.
“I can tell you that we have a verbal commitment. It is not yet in writing from a new tenant that would use the building in substantially the same manor. We would hope to have that in writing in a meeting by October 13.”
They can then move forward by getting approval for the revised tenant and purchasing the building. We’re told the current owner is 303 Franklin Street Limited Partnership. JBDDC plans to purchase the Conrad building for $5,000.
“We’re working really hard to save this building. We hope that we’re successful.”
Until then it’s unclear what will happen to the building and the safety issue it presents.
You can stick with WTAJ for new details on this developing story.