READING., Pa. – Reading City Council voted Monday night to authorize the filing of a declaration of taking -or eminent domain- for a property at 2040 Centre Avenue.
City Solicitor Michael Gombar asked council to discuss the matter in a closed-door executive session prior to the start of the regular voting meeting.
Council is permitted by law to discuss matters involving real estate in public. Only the vote is required to take part in a public meeting.
Council did not discuss anything regarding the action in public.
The 0.35-acre property, which is next to FirstEnergy Stadium, is privately owned and is the site of a former bank building.
City officials have not disclosed the reason for the action, but Councilman Rafael Nunez urged council to vote yes, saying, “I’m looking for the city of Reading to continue growing up.”
The approved action allows the city to take the property by offering a fair compensation to the current owner.
Pennsylvania law allows municipalities to file a declaration of taking for projects that are designed to serve a public purpose, including redevelopment projects.
Earlier this month, the Reading Zoning Hearing Board granted a continuance for a hearing to consider the appeal of a party intending to lease the same property for use as a daycare facility.
It is unclear if that hearing will go forward as planned at the Sept. 10 zoning hearing meeting.
In other business, council authorized the submission of an application to the Department of Community and Economic Development for a Main Street Matters funding grant in the amount of $1.2 million, which would provide:
Funding for façade improvements in the 400 and 500 blocks of Penn Street
Business improvement micro loans/grants in the 100 and 200 blocks of North 5th Street
District improvements to support 2nd story residential development in the main corridor
A planning grant to evaluate the current Main Street design committee plan.
The Main Street Matters program is operated by DCED to support downtowns and surrounding neighborhoods with tools to create vibrant and welcoming communities.