Source documents in the public domain

A riverfront property … 

A second riverfront property … 

A third riverfront property …

eminent domain … 

a letter outlining how the  money (at least $615,000) from the sale of the property might be used …

1.  $165,000 – “Construct a building at River Park complete with restrooms and deck. DCNR has indicated $165,000 could be realized for such a project provided Columbia Borough can provide a match. This would allow for the construction of a $320,000 building. There is a possibility of additional funding to complete the entire building as planned but Columbia Borough would have to make the initial investment.”
2. $100,000 – “Purchase the fourteen acres between the bridges from Norfolk Southern. Columbia Borough has made and offer to Norfolk Southern. If the offer is refused and Columbia Borough cannot invest the monies needed to purchase, we will lose a $30,000 grant from DCNR that is to be used for the purchase and funding from Lancaster County Urban Enhancement Fund to be used for the planning phase. $100,000 may be needed for this transaction to be completed. This may be a once in a lifetime opportunity to purchase these lands and complete the footprint of River Park.”
3. $150,000 – “Complete the Downtown Beautification Project. The completion of this project has been cited by both residents and business alike as an important part in the economic development and revitalization of Columbia Borough. The project is also listed, as are the others, in the Economic Development Strategic Plan. The lights have been purchased with a grant from Senator Brubaker but cannot be installed properly without the other parts of the project such as new conduit, curb and sidewalk reconstruction and tree planting. Completion of this project may cost $150,000.”
4. $200,000 – “By my calculations, that leaves roughly $200,000 to purchase, demolish the building across the Alley from the Market House and adjacent to the new Market House Parking lot and expand the lot. Additionally, the borough could offer the front portion of the lot to an entity to construct mixed use business/residence properties on the South Third Street portion of the lot. This would offset some of the cost, allow for more economic development in other areas, increase the tax base, eliminate curb cuts, increase business and residential opportunities and fill the void in the streetscape.”
5. Bonus Bucks! – “I believe if you sharpen your pencils a bit with these suggestions, you may even have enough money left to retire the latest borrowing taken on by Council.”