FOLLANSBEE - A bid of $600,000 was submitted by representatives of Paull Associates, a Wheeling real estate firm, for two acres on the north end of Follansbee's ballfield at a public auction outside the Follansbee City Building early today.
No others entered bids, and the amount was the minimum sought for the land.
Lee C. Paull IV, executive vice president for the firm, said he couldn't give his client's name at this time, but a formal announcement will be made within 280 days.
Paull would say, "It will be great for the community and create an abundance of jobs. I think the people of Follansbee will be very happy."
Follansbee City Council, which approved two readings for an ordinance authorizing the auction, must formally accept the bid at its next regular meeting.
Paull's attorney, Ray Byrd, noted that under the terms of the auction, Paull Associates has 180 days in which it may withdraw the bid after reviewing the property.
City Manager John DeStefano said he and other city officials have pledged not to divulge the site's future occupant at this time.
Mayor Tony Paesano said, "Economic development is one of our biggest concerns. We are trying to create jobs. There's a possibility that who goes in there could create 25 to 30 jobs."
Terms of the sale included restrictions imposed by council prohibiting the property from being occupied by a casino, tattoo parlor, exotic dance club or other business specializing in adult entertainment.
Recently leaders of the Follansbee Baseball Association have voiced concern because the sale will result in the city's pony league and T-ball fields being displaced.
Bonnie Bowers, the wife of baseball association President Kenny Bowers, said it will be difficult for the league's five divisions to share the remaining ballfields.
Mario Boni, the group's vice president, said with 165 children, ages 5-14, participating in the league this year, he shares the same concerns.
"I'm all for economic development and jobs, but I'm also a big proponent of Little League and having a place for our kids to play," he said.
But Paesano and DeStefano said the currently proposed development isnt expected to affect the fields this year and they are exploring four potential temporary sites. Paesano said the city will continue to seek funding for a proposed $10 million athletic complex near Highland Hills for baseball and other sports.
Paesano said the pony league could be relocated to fields at Parkview or, with consent from the Brooke County Board of Education, Hooverson Heights Primary School or Brooke High School.
DeStefano said the city could also clear a wooded area behind the Rite Aid store to accommodate a new ballfield.
Boni said the Parkview and Hooverson Heights fields aren't large enough.
A regulation pony league field is 100 feet from home plate to the outfield fence and 64 feet from home to second base.
Boni said he and others with the baseball association are eager to work with city officials to prepare now for the 2010 season, which will begin in April.
In 2001 Follansbee Council purchased the 12 acres occupied by the baseball fields and about 6 acres north of Brooke Plaza used by the Blue Wave Football Association, from Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corp. for $1.3 million in hopes of attracting new businesses and jobs.
About 1.8 acres north of the plaza was sold to Orion Development for $720,00 for the Rite Aid store in 2006.
City officials have announced plans to build an athletic complex on 30 acres above the former Koppers truck terminal off Archer Hill Road that were donated by Wheeling-Pitt.
(Scott can be contacted at wscott@heraldstaronline.com)
