SHARPSVILLE

Sharpsville council will vote tonight on an ordinance condemning a property at 32 Walnut Street to make way for a parking lot.

The intention is to take down the house on the lot to develop a public parking area and possibly a comfort station, or bus stop, for the Shenango Valley Shuttle Service through the Mercer County Council of Governments, Borough Manager Mike Wilson said last week.

Other tentative comfort station locations include the vicinity of the 13th Street playground, the former Seventh Street Elementary School and the canal lock near the Shenango Dam.

Council will pay property owner Richard Foltz, Sharon, the appraised value of the property. A preliminary appraisal set the property value between $35,000 and $40,000, said borough Solicitor Joseph Joseph at Monday's council work session. He said there would eventually be a final appraisal to set the value, but the last letter the borough sent to Foltz offered $35,000.

Theresa Harkless-Woods, the owner of the property next to Foltz's, said she did not think that was a fair price for the land.

"I think what you're doing as far as condemning his property is not fair," she said, referring both to the offered price and the condemnation itself. "I don't think it's right."

Ms. Harkless-Woods said a listing for a similar property in the borough was $59,000, and her own property was appraised at between $55,000 and $60,000.

Joseph said the price was not set and Foltz has the right to have the courts set the price on the property if he feels it is worth more than the borough offers.

Foltz, who was at the work session, did not comment.

Ms. Harkless-Woods also asked why council chose that location for a parking lot.

Council President Jack Cardwell said parking has been an issue in the Walnut Street area for years, especially in the vicinity of the Walnut Street Lodge, where several businesses have come and gone during the past few years.

Council meets at 7 p.m. tonight in the borough building.