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Accord in sight on sale of general store

Wawa wants to raze the Guthriesville structure. Preservationists hope to save it.

Everyone who cares about the fate of the historic Guthriesville General Store seems to be moving slowly, tentatively, toward an agreement to put the building up for sale for eight weeks at most to see if anyone wants to take it over, preserve it, and restore it.

That was the consensus of some of those who attended a five-hour closed meeting on Feb. 5 in Guthriesville.

The meeting was conducted by the Army Corps of Engineers, in an attempt to resolve the conflicting claims of residents and preservation groups on one hand and the Wawa chain, which wants to demolish the building and put up a super Wawa with 12 gas pumps, on the other. The corps became involved because of concerns that the Wawa project might affect a stream on the property.

If the building can't be sold and preserved, that presumably would leave Wawa free to demolish it. If it is sold to a preservationist, it presumably would end a long-running legal and zoning battle.

Louis Colgagreco, attorney for Claudio DiGiamberardino, who owns the general store property, said Wawa presented a proposal for the sale of his client's building and terms under which the building could be sold and saved.

"Obviously, my client is concerned about the amount of time this is taking and remains concerned. I don't know one way or another whether it will expedite or further delay the process," Colagreco said of the marketing period.

Colagreco would not discuss what financial arrangements, if any, Wawa had made with his client, nor would he say what DiGiamberardino was asking for the property.

The chain has been trying to demolish the store, built in 1869, and build on the site since 2001 but has faced opposition from some neighbors and preservationists. The store has been closed for several years.

A Wawa spokeswoman, Lori Bruce, wrote in response to a question that the Feb. 5 meeting reviewed Wawa's proposal for an agreement and that those involved had until tomorrow to submit comments and/or recommendations on Wawa's plans for marketing the building to anyone who would preserve it.

If the building does not sell, she said, Wawa would historically document the structure before demolishing it.

Bruce said that DiGiamberardino would allow potential purchasers and their agents to tour the old store, provided they agreed in writing to release DiGiamberardino and Wawa from any claims while investigating the building. Potential purchasers may call Colagreco at 610-458-4400 for more information.

"Wawa does not know when the property will be listed, if at all," Bruce wrote in an e-mail. "If it is listed, Wawa would expect to see the property listed in the immediate future. That decision is up to Mr. DiGiamberardino. In addition, Wawa does not know how long the building will be marketed."

"We note, however," she continued, "that Mr. DiGiamberardino was quite adamant that he will not allow any more than eight weeks from this week for the marketing period."

Bruce wrote that the building would be for sale for a nominal consideration. No more details on price could be obtained.

According to Bruce, Wawa hired a structural engineer who estimated that it would cost nearly $1,350,000 to renovate the building.

According to a document obtained by The Inquirer, interested parties are required to present a letter of credit for that amount to consider purchasing the property.

Deke Inslee, who lives near the old general store, said he understood the need for the letter of credit but disagreed with the estimate.

"Wawa put up stringent stipulations connected to marketing of the building, and I think they will be difficult to meet. If they really want to see this happen, they should make it a more reasonable figure," Inslee said.