Monroeville officials appear to have secured a tax exemption for the Monroeville Convention Center.
After the municipality purchased the convention center for just over $5 million in 2024, it requested a tax exemption that initially was denied by Allegheny County officials.
Monroeville Solicitor Robert Wratcher was skeptical of the county’s reasoning that the convention center is not considered a public use. He argued that the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, which operates in the same manner, is tax-exempt.
Wratcher said county officials sent Monroeville a letter in late February saying they have reconsidered and will grant the tax exemption.
“At this point, the county is not going to appeal the decision, and the only group that can file an appeal is the Gateway School District,” Wratcher said. “Their solicitor has indicated that they’re considering it.”
Wratcher didn’t think an appeal would be upheld.
“I think we have a very strong case to uphold this if we need to go to the mat on it,” he said. “The school district has the legal right to an appeal, and this change is probably going to affect about $80,000 in taxes they’d get under the (convention center’s previous tax status). But hopefully the school district will recognize that we have a strong case, and that having it is something that enhances our all-around tax base.”
The municipality purchased the convention center to prevent it from being sold to craft store chain Hobby Lobby. Since then, officials have used a combination of local funding and state grant money to install new rooftop air conditioning units, refurbish the concrete flooring and install new carpet in its South Hall.
This year, plans include updating indoor video boards, replacing the North Hall’s roof, updating interior and exterior paint and redoing the parking lot.
