The city of Farrell has asked Mercer County commissioners to provide the specifications for the site preparation work at a proposed new district justice office.

The city has pressed the county to build the office at Spearman Avenue and Roemer Boulevard, across Roemer from the post office.

Commissioners initially rejected building there, citing the estimated $410,000 cost, but offered to split the costs with the city on a smaller, 2,500-square-foot building.

The county would pay the building construction cost, which is estimated at $245,000, if the city would pay for rough grading and final landscaping and to build a sidewalk and parking lot at an estimated cost of $80,000 to $100,000.

"Without knowing what those exact specifications are, it's kind of hard for council to make an informed decision," said City Manager LaVon Saternow.

Commissioner Kenneth Seamans said the commissioners have asked architect John Gruitza to send the specifications to the city.

Mrs. Saternow said the sooner the city can get the information, the better. Commissioners said they need an answer by Feb. 28.

"They're giving kind of an ultimatum here and not much time," she said.

While the commissioner's letter proposing the shared cost was dated Feb. 10, the city did not receive it until Tuesday, Mrs. Saternow said.

A letter requesting the specs was faxed and mailed Tuesday to the county, but Mrs. Saternow had not gotten a response as of Thursday.

The county has been looking to move the office of District Justice Henry J. Russo from Hermitage to Farrell.