CHARLEROI - The former Montgomery Ward building is one step closer to getting a new owner as a sales agreement was reached Wednesday.
The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce board of directors unanimously voted to enter into a sales agreement with Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc. (SPHS).
SPHS, Monessen's largest employer, has been operating at the Mon Valley Community Health Center since it opened in 1972.
But the SPHS board voted Dec. 1 to begin negotiations to purchase space at the former Ward building after a proposed deal to buy the health center from the city fell through.
Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce board secretary Jerry Zahand Sr. said the agreement calls for SPHS to buy about 52,000-square-feet of space for $337,000. SPHS expects to spend a total of about $4.5 million to buy the space and renovate it.
SPHS Chief Development Officer Luther Sheets said his organization is "pleased" with the chamber's unanimous vote.
He said SPHS is shooting for July 1 as the move-in date for about 200 employees in administration, and at Southwestern Pennsylvania Area Agency on Aging and Diversified Human Services.
"We're excited, but we have a lot of deadlines to meet and paperwork to fill out," Sheets said.
Zahand, president of Highway Appliance & Television Company, is also excited about the deal as the move will provide an economic boost to Charleroi's downtown and hopefully spur interest in the remaining 47,000-square-feet of space left at the Montgomery Ward building.
Zahand said the chamber is working on a business plan that would utilize about 35,000-square-feet of space as an expo/convention center that would benefit the entire Mon Valley.
The annual home show that has been based in the building will still take place in March, but will be held in the space formerly occupied by Fisher's Big Wheel, he said.
On the other side of the building, where the Montgomery Ward automotive garage was located, Zahand said chamber officials are looking at the possibility of a drive-through bank locating there.
Chamber Executive Director Debbie Keefer said SPHS coming to Charleroi will mean extra "foot traffic" that is vital to a downtown business district.
"This is such a win-win situation for everyone," she said.
