Mercer County Area Agency on Aging received only one bid for the Farrell property that formerly housed its Shenango Valley senior center.

The only bid for the building at 1020 Spearman Ave. was from the New and Living Way Apostolic Church in Farrell. Bishop Stephen L. Bennefield Sr., president and financial officer, submitted the $10,000 offer.

The congregation, which has been around since 1980, couldn't develop a complete proposal in time for the board's deadline Thursday.

However, church officials did list some short- and long-term plans for the property, including church offices, the Full Gospel Bible Institute and its offices, development of a day-care program and providing space and assistance for a new small business. The business plan includes a multicultural beauty salon and barber shop, computer training sales and repair and a Christian bookstore, supply and distribution.

Long-term plans include a rehabilitation program for troubled young men and women, which would include career counseling and job preparation; a playground for summer youth programs; and a gymnasium for winter youth programs.

Bennefield wrote that he would "expeditiously" submit other required documents if the proposal is considered.

The agency board doesn't plan to take any action until Feb. 27, which is the next regularly scheduled meeting, said Anne Marie Spiardi, chief executive officer. The board also intends to sit with any bidders to discuss the process.

The board is seeking a 60-day extension from its insurance carrier, DVUA Pittsburgh Inc., for the Farrell property as the bidding process moves forward. In the meantime, the board plans to seek short-term liability insurance elsewhere, Mrs. Spiardi said.

The senior center was located in the Farrell building for years until asbestos and other problems with the former J.A. Farrell School forced the agency to move in January 1999 to temporary quarters at Wheatland-Farrell United Methodist Church and then to its current site in Hermitage.

The New and Living Way Apostolic Church in Farrell is under the direction of Bishop Alvin McCoy.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Larissa Theodore at ltheodore@sharonherald.com