Historic Cecil Twp French Club May Be Saved

Cecil Township Supervisors are considering a restoration project for their historic French Club building. For the past ten years, the building, once used for private occasions, has debilitated into abandonment. A judge ordered the municipality to demolish the building and place a lien on its remaining property. Approximately $45,000 will go towards its demolition, but that amount can be recuperated if someone decides to buy the property thereafter. Board members expressed doubt and uncertainty over recuperation, noting that it would take one to two years for the amount to be earned back because of the increasing standard interest rate. However, a business partner of SA Harris Construction company proposed that his firm would instead acquire the property and renovate it into a multi-storied apartment unit. A neighboring property is also on contract with the firm, where they plan to build a parking lot there. Supervisors agreed to discuss the project’s terms with the solicitor, who will then propose a halt to Judge Katherine Emery’s demolition orders. Emery’s order is vital to how the firm handles its sales agreements, according to board member Thomas Casciola. “They’ll buy it, but their sales agreement with the current owner is contingent upon the judge lifting the demolition order, nobody’s going to buy a house that’s under a demolition order”, said Casciola. Updates about the renovation project will be announced and discussed at Cecil Township’s next public meeting on August 7th.