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Reading workers fence off dilapidated downtown property for emergency repairs

Reading workers have installed temporary protective fencing in front one of the long-vacant properties the city owns at the northwest corner of Fifth and Penn streets, next to Alvernia’s CollegeTowne campus, while city officials work with engineers and code officials to schedule emergency repairs, Mayor Eddie Moran announced Monday morning.

The precautionary measure prevents access to a walkway that runs from Penn to Court street between the buildings. Traffic in the 400 block of Penn Street will be diverted as needed while work is going on.

Moran said in a news release that the measure to restrict access to the property is being taken out of an abundance of precaution.

It wasn’t immediately clear what was discovered that created such urgency.

“Pedestrians will experience limited access to the sidewalk, corridor and common areas near Alvernia’s CollegeTowne campus,” Moran said. “The city has maintained constant communication with Alvernia throughout the process, ensuring their students, staff and faculty are well informed.

“We ask the general public to please avoid the active construction site and notify the city’s Citizens Service Center of any irregularity at 877-727-3234.”

The city bought the mostly vacant and dilapidated buildings at 431, 435, 445 and 449 Penn St. and 10 N. Fifth St. in 2013 for $2.6 million under then-Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer’s plan to redevelop the site.

Three administrations later, the properties sit mostly vacant following multiple rejections of redevelopment bids.

Officials are in the process of reviewing responses to a request for qualifications to develop the properties, City Council learned recently. The request was advertised in October and November. Proposals were accepted until Feb. 18.

Frank Denbowski, interim city managing director and Moran’s chief of staff, said the goal remains to put the properties in use and return them to the tax rolls.


Source: Berkshire mont

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