Peters Township considers different approach to Valley Brook proposal

A proposal to improve unused Peters Township property off Valley Brook Road and rehabilitate an old mining building has received further consideration.
Township council voted Aug. 13 to authorize exploring the possibility of leasing the property to Thomas Robinson, whose Valleybrook LLC owns two adjacent parcels and who is interested in upgrading what was referred to several times during the meeting as an eyesore.

Harry Funk / The Almanac
Harry Funk / The Almanac
A long-vacant mining building on Peters Township property could see new life under a development proposal.
In April, Robinson brought a proposal to council for a land swap, with the intention of him converting the former mine ventilation building into a coffee shop or something of similar use. Other components included construction of a pedestrian-bicycle bridge over Brush Run to access the Arrowhead Trail to the café and a fitness trail along the stream.
Council decided not to pursue the idea after solicitor John Smith provided an opinion on the matter, as explained by township manager Paul Lauer:
“We could not simply transfer these properties or even have an exchange of properties,” he said. “So what’s been proposed is looking at the possibility of, in essence, bidding this and stipulating what it is that, in fact, would be the end product.”
A formal request for proposals “would provide for maintenance and renovation of the detention pond and related landscaping surrounding the retention pond, as well as the utilization of the existing building,” according to William Andersen of Sherrard, German & Kelly, Robinson’s attorney.
“This land is dedicated specifically for open space,” he said about the township’s property. “And within the zoning, open space includes recreational centers, exercise grounds. Right now, it’s only an eyesore.”
Putting the township property up for bid would open the door for other ideas.
“Mr. Robinson’s proposal, we hope, is the best,” Andersen said. “But if someone else comes along who has a better proposal you would consider, then we’re for that, as well.”
Two council members, Frank Arcuri and Monica Merrell, voted against the authorization.
“I think this may be something the township wants to consider at some point,” Merrell said. “There’s opportunity out there, particularly as we look at further development, to do some public-private partnership. But trying to create a policy and parameters around a particular place, just because this happens to be there right now, I think pushes it too far.”