Development of the long-stagnant Dana South site has taken a step forward.

City Council at its meeting Monday authorized the sale of the 49.17-acre property at 1 Berkshire Place for $5 million.

The action advances redevelopment of one of the city’s largest vacant industrial sites.

Council unanimously approved the sale to C&B Development LLC for industrial warehouse, distribution and manufacturing purposes.

The proposed sale was introduced at council’s March 9 regular meeting.

City Council considers $5 million sale of Dana South site to new developer

Several council members described the deal as a milestone after years of failed proposals for the property, which has sat vacant since Dana Corp. closed the site in the early 2000s.

Councilman Raymond Baker said development of the parcel has seen many false starts.

“I pray that this is the final start, and then we see some product moving forward,” Baker said. “And I appreciate the administration for securing this buyer.”

Councilwoman Melissa Ventura and Councilman Jaime Baez praised the administration’s effort to market the underused land and secure a sale at a fair-market price.

“I certainly do believe that the administration is certainly leading the city in a right direction,” Baez said, “where you’re looking for these agreements, you’re trying to seek out land in different areas of the city that have been unused, so that way we can make these type of sales.”

Councilman O. Christopher Miller noted the scale of the tract, saying, he, too, was pleased to see the sale move forward.

Mayor Eddie Moran thanked council, saying the sale could help turn a long-idle site into an economic asset.

“I cannot express enough how extremely happy I am for the residents of Reading who are going to have an opportunity to see again the city that everyone loves so much come to fruition with the sale of this project,” the mayor said. “So to see it come to a productive place in our community, it’s really exciting.”

The city has been assured the project will include a combination of uses, Moran said, noting his hope that it will create much-needed, sustainable employment in the city.

Council President Donna Reed, who formerly represented the area, recalled past redevelopment efforts stretching back decades and said the property has long been seen as a critical part of the city’s future.

“It took a long time,” she said. “So thanks and kudos to everyone who played a role in bringing this forward.”

Other deals

Council also introduced ordinances authorizing two other real estate deals, including one that could shape future redevelopment efforts in the city’s downtown core.

That ordinance would authorize the sale of multiple downtown properties at 431 to 451 Penn St. and 12 N. Fifth St. to Callowhill Development LP.

Specific details were not outlined during the meeting.

However, Mayor Eddie Moran and developer Alan Shuman in a joint conference in February announced the $52 million mixed-use development of the site. Called the Fifth and Penn Project, the development is expected to bring new housing, retail space and restored historic architecture to the heart of the city.

$52 million Fifth and Penn project seen as major step for Reading redevelopment

A separate ordinance would authorize the city’s purchase of 2040 Centre Ave.

Few details were provided during the meeting. According to information included in the meeting agenda, the acquisition would be tied to broader plans involving FirstEnergy Stadium.

A companion ordinance, also introduced Monday, would amend the stadium lease to incorporate the Centre Avenue parcel into that footprint and position the property for parking or operational needs tied to the stadium.