Mercer County Housing Authority board has given its blessings to a more expensive exterior renovation of Valley View Homes, Mercer, than had been planned.

The authority had budgeted $500,000 for the work out of its annual modernization grant allotment from the federal government, but two scenarios presented to the board Wednesday were for $785,000 and $825,000.

The board approved the more expensive option. By doing so, it also pushed back the planned renovation of the community center at 211 Federal St., Farrell, by another year, to 2004.

The 31-unit, five-building Valley View Homes will be renovated in 2003.

Planners are taking the same approach to Valley View as they have done to Malleable Heights, Sharon, and in the redevelopment of Steel City Terrace, Farrell, said architect Sheldon Goettel, senior associate with Perfidio Weiskopf Architects of Pittsburgh.

The idea is to separate public space from private space, and give each apartment a plot of ground for tenants to maintain and plant gardens or other vegetation.

The work also will include improving the facades of the buildings, drainage and parking, fixing masonry work, installing new windows and doors and planting vegetation.

The big difference between the two scenarios is extending Otter Street.

In its present configuration, Otter Street dead ends in an L-shaped parking lot within Valley View Homes. The street will be extended southward and looped to connect with East Street, although the extension would remain private and would not be maintained by the borough.

The parking lot at the bottom of the L would be eliminated and replaced with common green space. Parking spaces would be built along the extension, creating more parking area than there is now, Goettel said.

The loop would give all apartments street-facing front doors -- some now face woods -- and easier access to emergency vehicles, Goettel said. From their cruisers, policemen could see the entire complex as they drive through, which they cannot do now, he said.

"It solves a lot of long-standing problems at the community," said authority Executive Director L. DeWitt Boosel. "I think it is worth the effort."

Although the road would not meet PennDOT specifications, it would be strong enough for moving vans and garbage trucks. Goettel said, adding that its width, curbs and pitch would discourage someone from speeding through.

Dumpsters would be replaced by curbside garbage pickup.

The newly installed playground, partially funded by a state grant, will have to be moved.

Borough officials and neighbors were asked their thoughts on the plans, Goettel said, noting, "Universally, they were in favor of it."

The authority had once proposed renovating the Farrell community center this year, but the delay until at least 2004 could actually benefit the decisions that are made about it.

Board members Tim Jablon noted that with the Steel City redevelopment upcoming and a Weed and Seed grant establishing new community-building programs, community need for the building might change.

"Our needs at 211 will change as Farrell changes," he said.

Mercer County Commissioner Olivia Lazor agreed that the community center will be discussed by the Weed and Seed economic development committee.

Boosel said the authority is not letting the building deteriorate while decisions are made on its renovation.

"We're doing the ongoing maintenance," he said. "If the roof leaks, we fix it."

Boosel said the board's priority is the modernization of apartments and he hopes the delay of the center renovations will not delay other projects that are scheduled to be funded by future modernization grants, including the exterior renovations of Sharpsville Gardens, Fay Terrace in Pymatuning Township and Mesabi Street in Sharon.

jpinchot@sharon-herald.com