Sale of Crafton property would benefit borough, Carlynton

A 5.24-acre property in Crafton is worth $3.5 million to a developer that recently reached a deal with Carlynton School District.

The sales agreement with Armstrong Development, which is affiliated with Giant Eagle, more specifically GetGo, is contingent upon the school district acquiring nearly 1.25 acres owned by the borough.

The property is comprised of two parcels, one owned by the district and another by the borough. When the property was sold to the borough in 1999 for $1, a reverter clause was put in place that would allow the borough to give back the property if the land was no longer fit for municipal use.

An intergovernmental cooperative agreement that Carlynton approved would give 24 percent of the sale proceeds to the borough while 76 percent would go to the school district.

Crafton officials will hear the development plans during a public meeting Dec. 9.

Carlynton board President Jim Schriver said a developer approached district officials in 2017 about purchasing the property. A second developer inquired about the property in 2018.

“We believe this is a good step for the district and community,” Schriver said of the sale. “The field has had limited use by the school.”

The soccer team uses the field for practice and the baseball team for games. The community youth football program also uses the field.

District solicitor Anthony Giglio said the sale is contingent upon approval from the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, and only after the development is advertised, public meetings are held and the borough and district give final approval.

Schriver assured the public in attendance at the meeting that the sale proceeds would not be used to balance the budget.