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Contested development: residents call for transparency in Lycoming Mall project

By Pat Crossley 6 min read

Transparency was the topic of the day at this week's commissioners meeting as county residents called on the developers of the Lycoming Mall property to reveal more specific plans for the project.

The commissioners announced that one of the developers had experienced a death in the family recently to account for their absence at the meeting to answer the concerns.

In all, the sentiments expressed by the frustrated taxpayers, many from the Muncy Township area where the mall property is located, liked the idea that something was going to be done with the deteriorating property, but they just wanted to know what that is going to be.

"I was kind of hoping that we will see...the principles from the FamVest Conglomerate here to present us with a visualization," said Tom Schaech, of Pennsdale.

"I think a lot of people are here today to hear what has to be said about what's going on with this proposed redevelopment of the mall. We're looking for some blueprints, some representations outside of you folks, and I don't see that. That concerns me," he told the commissioners.

Last year, the commissioners had agreed to loan the developers $5 million toward the $15.5 million purchase of the property.

Originally, the money was to have come from Act 13 funds, which are derived from gas drilling impact fees. At the meeting, it was revealed that might not be an option, and the loan for the project might have to come from some other county fund.

At the end of the meeting, commissioner Tony Mussare shared that, from a conversation with state Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Loyalsock Township, the issue should be referred to the county's solicitor to determine if the commissioners can legally use the Act 13 funds as a loan.

Other residents of Muncy Township who voiced their concerns about what they considered the lack of transparency by the FamVest developers included Charlie Bush, who had sold the Bush Estate property to one of the partners in the venture.

"We were told when we sold it to them that there would be no demolition -- there were no plans for any. It turns out that they're talking about demolishing most of the property, except for the mansion," Bush said.

"Intentions are not necessarily promises...that's a lot of money to hope something happens," he said.

Bush, who was involved with the original sale of the property where the mall was constructed, voiced his concern about the lack of transparency surrounding the current proposed sale and rehabilitation project at the site.

"I don't see that there's been much transparency for the public to know exactly what we're spending all this money on...I would hope that the thing would become a little more nailed down quickly," Bush said.

Other county residents were concerned that because the plans have not been more explicit about what will be built on the property or what any part of it will be used for, that somehow there could be housing for illegal immigrants.

"Is there anything specific that would prevent them from making this into another New York city where we have a ton of non-tax paying people -- illegals -- being brought in because it's been set up as a residential project?" Catherine Burns asked.

When commissioner Scott Metzger reassured Burns and the contingent with her that the developers had assured the commissioners that they were not looking at housing immigrants on the mall property, Burns seemed to still not be convinced.

"They're being brought to every city, every town, every county, and I feel sorry for them, I do. However, it's on our backs again. If that door is left open, when the sale is done, we have no recourse," she said.

To try to calm the concerns of the people at the meeting, the commissioners referred to the work that FamVest has already done in the area, such as developing properties in Loyalsock Township.

"They have a good track record, that’s all I can say," Metzger said.

"I appreciate your candor with us...I've heard you say you want more transparency about what's going to be there, and I think that is a legitimate question for us to ask," Mirabito said.

He pointed out that the need for more openness is critical when public funds are involved.

"There's a level of transparency that sometimes people are not used to doing. You know, they're getting a loan from us. This is not a grant. Just so everyone understands that this is not free money. It is a loan and it is secured," Mirabito said.

Commissioner Tony Mussare cautioned those who spoke at the meeting that sometimes things that are said in fear can sway developers from proceeding with their plans.

"Elected officials sometimes have to make tough decisions, and it's not always fun to sit in this chair," Mussare said.

Referring to the selling price of the property, which includes over 135 acres, Mussare said, "As long as we're getting a return on our investment, as long as it's secure, I would probably have more constituents say, 'Hey, do it.'"

"We need housing, and we do have constituents come here and call all the time to say we need to get the economic development here in our communities," Mussare said.

"So, we look at it -- it's a pretty good return on our investment, and we get our money back. You know, it's a tough decision," he added.

The commissioners indicated that representatives from FamVest would probably be at next week's meeting, June 15 at 10 a.m. in the commissioners board room, first floor Executive Plaza, 330 Pine St.

Although the commissioners had announced last week that closing on the mall property would be happening on June 16, with the meeting scheduled the day before for representatives from FamVest to offer more clarity on the project, they stressed that they would not be rushed into signing.

"If it means closing has to be postponed, that's their problem. I'm dead serious about that," Mirabito said.

"As an elected official, I'm not going to have the public feel that we're doing something under the gun or with a gun to our head," he added.

Starting at /week.