Greensburg officials weigh options for Advance Furniture site: park, merchants, apartments

An empty parcel in Greensburg’s downtown could be home to a small park, a spot for merchants and space for gatherings and activities.

Calling it a “small but mighty lot,” Chelsea Puff, senior project manager with Strategic Solutions, said a simple approach is the tentative plan for the site. The South Main Street property could ultimately support an apartment building if an investor or developer comes forward.

“Now, the focus is what is that short-term use,” she said.

The lot was cleared last year through the demolition of a dilapidated 119-year-old, six-story building that previously was home to Advance Furniture. The project was part of a $10.4 million county program aimed at clearing away hundreds of blighted properties in Greensburg and six other communities.

In the months since, officials have been working on a plan for the property’s future. It is owned by the Westmoreland County Land Bank and the city along with the Greensburg Community Development Corp. and other stakeholders have been distilling ideas. The plan will be up for approval during city council’s meeting Monday.

It was discussed Tuesday by Puff during the annual Greensburg Development Conference. Planners used feedback from the public to guide the short-term effort, which, Puff said, will help with finding grant money.

“Now, we’re full steam ahead … but I think the funding will remain an issue,” she said.

The community feedback was an important element, said Brian Lawrence, director of the land bank. He hopes merchant space there could be a stepping stone for small businesses, and, if it is successful, serve as a model for other communities.

“We have small businesses in abundance in Westmoreland County … how do we get them to the next stage, if that’s what they want to do?” he said.

Alec Italiano, Greensburg planning and development director, said there are still some things to consider, such as maintenance of the lot and who will coordinate activities there, but officials want to make it a safe and welcoming space that could be attractive to residents and businesses. There are tons of possibilities with an area that can be designed to be flexible, he said.

“Even the furniture was designed to be movable,” he said.

Cost estimates for the park and merchant space run between $223,000 and $254,000, according to the plan. Puff said an apartment building would cost an estimated $5 million.