Work to begin soon on former Clarion Goodwill building

By NATASHA BRENNEMAN
Staff Writer

Clarion County commissioners announced Tuesday that renovation work on the former Goodwill building in Clarion Borough will begin next week.

“There’s no exact date. It’s when we can get the materials and get the guys going on it,” Commissioner Ted Tharan said at Tuesday’s meeting.

The county purchased the old retail store at Sixth Avenue and Liberty Street as a cost-saving measure.

Plans are to turn the building into office space, saving the county an estimated $80,000 to $100,000 per year, according to commissioners’ earlier estimations.

The building has 8,400 square feet and an open layout from its former use as a retail outlet for Goodwill. Before that, the building was a grocery store.

Tharan said Tuesday that in addition to office space, the building will house district judge Duane Quinn’s office.

Tharan said supplies for the project would be purchased through COSTAR dealers.

COSTARS is the state’s cooperative purchasing program that allows government projects to get highest savings and best value through an interactive partnership with local dealers.

Tharan also said there will be an event Thursday, July 6, to help local businesses get information to become certified COSTAR dealers. The location of the session hasn’t been announced.

In other matters at Tuesday’s meeting:

 – John Stroup was re-appointed to the Northwest Commission for a two-year term until June 2019.

– Sheriff’s deputy Damien Avery will receive a wage adjustment to $14.

– Jordan Anderson will fill the part-time deputy sheriff position with an hourly wage of $12.01.

– The starting wage for part-time and full-time sheriff’s deputies will be $12.01.

– Amy Rouze will fill the vacant caseworker I position. The full-time position will have an annual salary of $24,731.