Sale of Renovo’s K of C Lot Still to be Finalized

RENOVO – The process is underway to get the former Knights of Columbus lot along Renovo’s Erie Avenue back on the tax rolls. But that effort is not yet finished.

The Clinton County Commissioners last week accepted a $1,000 bid from Riggle LLC, the amount exceeding a $500 bid submitted by Renovo Borough.

The unclaimed plot at Erie Avenue and Sixth Street had been in the county’s “repository status,” having gone un-purchased through a sheriff’s sale and a judicial sale.

Although Riggle LLC submitted the high bid for the lot, county solicitor Larry Coploff said regulations covering repository sales require the approval of all applicable taxing bodies; in this case it would include the Keystone Central School District and Renovo Borough.

Coploff said the K of C sale was the latest in a recent string of county repository sales and so far none have been consummated because all but one of the other taxing bodies have not followed the prescribed procedures.

He said five such unclaimed plots had bids accepted by the county in early July: one in Lock Haven, one in Renovo, two in Noyes Township and one in Pine Creek Township.

To this point, Coploff said, only the city of Lock Haven has followed the proper procedure, having the sale approved by city council.

He said there has been no response from the school district, Renovo, Pine Creek Township and Noyes Township; until elected officials in those governmental taxing districts give their approval and provide written documentation, the plots cannot be transferred to the successful bidders.

Ownership of Renovo’s K of C lot had been in question for some time, the site of a once-several story building which had fallen into disrepair and collapse, its remains ultimately razed and leveled just before last October’s Flaming Foliage Festival.

There has been no word on the plans of Riggle LLC for the Erie Avenue lot. The prospective new owner cannot proceed until Renovo borough council and the Keystone Central school board give their approval to the sale.

Because of its repository status, past taxes and liens on the property are waived and not the responsibility of the successful bidder.