Monday, November 23, 2009

Attorney Joyce Novotny-Prettiman from Quatrini Rafferty in Tribune Review

Sale of Former Jeannette Middle School Site Collapses

By The Tribune-Review
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

A sale of the property where Jeannette Middle School once stood has fallen through.

Jeannette School District has been trying to sell .95 acres at 326 S. Fourth St. A petition for a sale price of $75,000 to Clifford and Christine Smith of Nanty Glo was granted by Westmoreland County Judge Daniel Ackerman on Oct. 28.

But the Smiths, who planned to build a Family Dollar store on the parcel, withdrew their bid.

Joyce Novotny-Prettiman, district solicitor, said the Smiths were not required to give a reason for the withdrawal under the terms of the sales agreement.

"We just got a letter from the attorney saying they were withdrawing from the contract," Novotny-Prettiman said.

The school board voted Monday to release the Smiths from the deal.

Superintendent Sharon Marks said the district will explore other options.

"We were disappointed," Marks said. "Obviously, we wanted to sell the property. It would be a good boost not only for us, but for the city. It just didn't happen. We'll go from there."


- Quatrini Rafferty -