The transfer in ownership of a Zelienople landmark has happened earlier than expected.
Zelienople Borough Manager Don Pepe says the Kaufman House will soon be owned by local developer and businessman Patrick Boylan.
The borough had put the property out to bid and only received the bid from Boylan, so the decision was made to move forward with the sale. Zelienople will receive about $350,000 upon finalization of the agreement, which was the amount spent on the project by the borough. Pepe says renovations to over 60 percent of the building’s infrastructure are rapidly nearing completion.
The newly renovated facility is expected to open sometime this summer, possibly by July.
Last spring, Zelienople Borough purchased the South Main Street building with the goal of refurbishing the structure and re-opening it as a restaurant and bar on the first floor, and offices and meeting rooms on the upper floors. The Kaufman House was built in the early 20th century under a different name and was known by many as the premier hotel between Pittsburgh and Erie.
It closed several years ago following a fire.