Charleroi to consider abandoning part of Ninth Street for car dealer

A public hearing on the matter is set for Wednesday evening.

Charleroi officials have scheduled a public hearing to consider the possible abandonment of a portion of Ninth Street to accommodate an expansion plan tied to a local car dealership.

The hearing will focus on a section of Ninth Street between McKean Avenue and Railroad Way in Charleroi Borough. Borough Council must first consider abandoning the publicly owned roadway before any transfer or redevelopment can move forward.

Borough Manager Joe Manning explained the request stems from an inquiry by the owners of Gerry Raymond Ford, who are seeking to incorporate the section of street into their existing dealership footprint.

“Gerry Raymond Ford inquired about acquiring a portion of Ninth Street that can become part of their larger dealership,” Manning said. “In order to do that since it is public land council had to agree to ‘abandon’ that portion of the street from McKean to Railroad Way, but a public hearing must be held before any action is taken.”

The request comes as the dealership continues a broader renovation and expansion effort following a change in ownership last fall.

The business, formerly known as Davies Ford, has undergone updates to its lots and internal roadways, with additional work still underway.

Plans previously outlined include construction of a new two-story building as part of the long-term redevelopment of the site along McKean Avenue.

Raymond took over the dealership in September.

The public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday in council chambers.

Code Enforcement Officer Jamie Stasch reminded residents of the hearing during his report Wednesday.

“(That will be) in discussion with Ninth Street down there between McKean and the alley that street right there (near) the new Ford dealership,” Stasch said. “There’s a lot of issues with that as far as right aways are concerned, so that’ll be next week at 6 p.m.”

The Regional Police Board meeting is also scheduled for that night at 6 p.m., but will be held in the community room.