The Bush House. SUN-GAZETTE PHOTO

The former owners of the Bush House Estate in Muncy Township have withdrawn their lawsuit against the State College-based development firm that now owns the property.

“A call was received from Charlie Bush on Thursday,” said a spokesperson with FAMvest of State College.

“During that call, Mr. Bush indicated that he would be withdrawing and discontinuing the lawsuit,” the developers’ representative said.

“The parties’ attorneys are involved and the details of Mr. Bush’s withdrawal of the case is in process,” the spokesperson said on Friday in an email and a follow-up call.

“Alvico LLC and a representative from FAMvest have worked out a resolution to be memorialized in writing and, hopefully, it results in the preservation of the Bush House and its structures, although there are no guarantees,” said attorney Joseph F. Orso III, representing Alvico LLC, the entity which owned the house prior to selling it to FAMvest, he said.

“I am hopeful the Bush House and its structures can be preserved,” Orso said.

FAMvest is being represented by the law firm of Stevens & Lee of King of Prussia.

Before the withdrawal of this suit, efforts to spare the historic structure were headed to court. Alvico’s complaint, filed by Orso, sought a preliminary injunction to prevent the new owners, FAMvest Acquisitions, from demolishing it as part of a development project that includes a Wawa and a Hilton-branded hotel. The developer clarified that a Wawa is not being proposed on the site of the Bush House, but rather nearby as part of a larger development.

FAMvest purchased the former Lycoming Mall in 2023 with plans to redevelop and rebrand the site as The District. The agreement was signed with Alvico to buy the Bush House Estates for $1.8 million in August 2022.

The status of the house was discussed on March 1 at an open house to explain plans for a Bass Pro Shops Outpost on the site of a former Best Buy. At the open house, FAMvest officials revealed plans for the Wawa and Hilton-brand hotel at The District.

Since then, there has been an effort in the community to save the Bush House, which was built in the mid-1800s.

When FAMvest officials met the public at the March 1 open house it was disclosed that every effort to sell or rent the property was made but there were no buyers found.

Separately, Orso’s withdrawal as solicitor for Muncy Township will require a hearing scheduled May 13 in county court. Orso added whoever the next township solicitor would be decided on by the board of supervisors – Terri Lauchle, chair; Denise Artley, vice chair, and Heath Ohnmeiss. The solicitor chosen would then be tasked with continuing any legal work that was performed on behalf of the township by Orso. This would include any lawsuits and appeals, such as those that are before the Commonwealth Court, and legal representation for the township, Orso confirmed.

FAMvest and supervisors are engaged in legal challenges over the board’s failure to sign an approved subdivision to allow the developers to continue with the development of the Bass Pro Shops Outpost. Ohnmeiss has gone on Facebook posting how he favors bringing Bass Pro to the township site.

Additionally, a private citizen also has sued the township in court, claiming there was a violation of the state Sunshine Act.