City Fights to Keep State Store Downtown
PLCB Considering Bald Eagle Township Site
LOCK HAVEN — A part of Lock Haven’s downtown for at least half a century, Clinton County’s last remaining state store is looking to a move to Bald Eagle Township and city officialdom is not happy about it.
A switch is planned to the Millbrook Plaza off Hogan Boulevard, but city officials are hoping they can intervene to keep the store at its present E. Main Street location.
Local officials recently became aware of the planned relocation which was an agenda item approved at the state Liquor Control Board April 8 meeting.
As city representatives understand it, any such move would not be finalized for a number of months and they hope they can convince the PLCB to reconsider. The current downtown site is owned by former local resident Ronnie Pete, the proposed Millbrook Plaza site by Zamagias Properties of western Pennsylvania.
City officials have been in touch with downtown merchants in the effort to get the state to reconsider; they plan to approach state Rep. Mike Hanna, a Lock Haven resident, for his support.
Local officials have been told the state wants to relocate to a site within a mile of the Mill Hall area intersection of Route 220 and Route 150, within proximity of grocery stores and with ample parking. Millbrook Plaza would satisfy those criteria.
The Clinton County Commissioners discussed the matter at their work session earlier this week and board chairman Pete Smeltz and minority board member Joel Long, a former Lock Haven city councilman, expressed concern about the proposed move. Commissioner Jeff Snyder said more information should be sought, and Smeltz suggested obtaining the views of the Bald Eagle Township supervisors.
City supporters noted the downtown location has meant 24-hour police protection is available from the city, whereas Bald Eagle Township has no local police force. They also said the store is seen as an “anchor” for a downtown which has lost a considerable amount of retail shops over the years.
No information was immediately available on what the state has been paying in rent for its Lock Haven location, or what the proposed lease payment would be for a switch to Millbrook Plaza which presently houses a Weis Market and a Kmart store.
