Northern Lights By Larissa Dudkiewicz
A tax assessment appeal filed by the owner of the Northern Lights shopping center has been withdrawn.
PZ Northern Limited Partnership filed the appeal for the 2012 year moving forward, seeking a more than 50 percent reduction in their current tax bill.
A tax assessment appeal filed by the owner of the Northern Lights shopping center has been withdrawn.
PZ Northern Limited Partnership filed the appeal for the 2012 year moving forward, seeking a more than 50 percent reduction in their current tax bill.
Economy Solicitor Joe Askar said the company is currently assessed at $3.4 million and sought a "drastic" downward adjustment to reflect an overall $1.2 million.
The trial recently started, with Beaver County, Ambridge Area School District, and Economy Borough all being represented. The second day of trial was scheduled for next week, but Askar said PZ Northern withdrew its claim and Beaver County Judge C. Gus Kwidis signed the order on Monday.
“It's huge for all three taxing districts,” Askar said. "...We came out of there not losing anything."
Following cross examination at trial, Askar said he filed a subpoena for the certain appraisals that PZ Northern had acquired in obtaining financing about a year ago. Askar said he believes the appraisals would have come back at the amount local taxing bodies argued should be paid.
PZ Northern officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Economy officials expect that PZ Northern will continue moving forward with demolition plans in Northern Lights.
Manager Randy Kunkle said a company official contacted the borough a week ago about plans for an asbestos assessment and to inquire about the process of obtaining a demolition permit by the end of October.
Kunkle said the asbestos procedure could take weeks or even months before the company could proceed with demolition. Separate buildings would require separate demolition permits.
PZ Northern has indicated four locations in the plaza that could be torn down, including the old Wendy’s restaurant; empty stores between Giant Eagle and the Baden Wine and Spirits location; and a section of strip mall from the former Altmeyer’s store to H&R Block.
Kunkle said no official plans have been submitted.
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The trial recently started, with Beaver County, Ambridge Area School District, and Economy Borough all being represented. The second day of trial was scheduled for next week, but Askar said PZ Northern withdrew its claim and Beaver County Judge C. Gus Kwidis signed the order on Monday.
“It's huge for all three taxing districts,” Askar said. "...We came out of there not losing anything."
Following cross examination at trial, Askar said he filed a subpoena for the certain appraisals that PZ Northern had acquired in obtaining financing about a year ago. Askar said he believes the appraisals would have come back at the amount local taxing bodies argued should be paid.
PZ Northern officials could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Economy officials expect that PZ Northern will continue moving forward with demolition plans in Northern Lights.
Manager Randy Kunkle said a company official contacted the borough a week ago about plans for an asbestos assessment and to inquire about the process of obtaining a demolition permit by the end of October.
Kunkle said the asbestos procedure could take weeks or even months before the company could proceed with demolition. Separate buildings would require separate demolition permits.
PZ Northern has indicated four locations in the plaza that could be torn down, including the old Wendy’s restaurant; empty stores between Giant Eagle and the Baden Wine and Spirits location; and a section of strip mall from the former Altmeyer’s store to H&R Block.
Kunkle said no official plans have been submitted.
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