The former Penn-Trafford School District administration building on Harrison City-Export Road could be renovated for commercial or residential rental units.
The district plans to finalize the sale of the building Feb. 6 to Rick Goga, owner of Artistic Pools on Route 130 in Penn Township, according to court documents.
Since Artistic Pools is a seasonal business, it is good for the employees to have a project to work on through the winter months, said Goga of Penn Township.
“(The building) is right in a good location for us, and we just wanted to expand our real estate portfolio and make rentals out of it — probably commercial down on the first floor and apartments on the upper floors,” Goga said.
Goga owns several rental properties in the township, including King Seat Tavern and Billiards Hall off of Route 130 and the plaza at the intersection of Route 130 and Walnut Street. It houses Hometown Pizza, Mirror Images and Double Stuffed Cookie Co.
Goga purchased the 5,600- square-foot building, built in 1897, for $360,000 — about $20,000 more than the list price. He plans to renovate the building and, when renters are identified, tailor the building to the renters’ needs.
Penn-Trafford Superintendent Matthew Harris said the district received two competitive offers for the property within the first week of sale.
“I”m very happy that we’ve sold the building quickly and that it went for above the asking price,” Harris said. “It will definitely be in good hands with the new owner.”
District administration — including human resources, student services, school psychologists, superintendent and assistant superintendent — moved into a new building on Randall Court in Bushy Run Corporate Park in November.
The property, about 5 miles from the high school, was purchased for $1.7 million. The district plans to lease the first floor of the 30,000-square-foot building, Harris said, but it is still looking for a renter.
“Everything’s moved in. Everything’s working,” Harris said. “It’s nice.”
