"Impact Warren" has reached another milestone.

Susquehanna Valley Development Group on Friday advertised for bids for the first actual construction involved in the $40 million downtown and riverfront revitalization project.

Bids are now being received for construction of Allegheny Point, a four-level building to be located on Pennsylvania Ave. on what is now a vacant lot between Studio 329 and Soldiers and Sailors Park.

The advertisement for bids puts construction of the $4 million building on track for the beginning of construction late this fall, which is in line with the timetable previously announced by Susquehanna and Warren Mayor Mark Phillips.

Prospective bidders will have until Sept. 22 to review specifications for construction of the 24 units of housing with commercial space on the lower level.

Warren Mayor Mark Phillips said earlier this month that the first "shovel in the ground" involving "Impact Warren" could come this fall when construction of Allegheny Point gets underway.
Allegheny Point will have three stories and a basement or "lawn level" at the rear of the building, opening onto the Breeze Point Landing area. The lower level is expected to be the new site of the Warren Senior Center. The senior center would have 11,000 square feet for a dining room, exercise area, office and crafts area.

Allegheny Point will include an air-lock entry system for energy efficiency and security for tenants. The second and third floors will also have a security system, allowing tenants to control entry to the building. An elevator will make all floors accessible to the handicapped or disabled.

The street-level of the 44,000 square foot building will offer retail and office space.

The 150-foot wide parcel, the former site of the Eagles Club, was purchased for economic development purposes by the county in 1999 for $110,000 and conveyed to the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry by the current commissioners for development for a token fee of $1.

Allegheny Point got a boost this March with a $915,000 "home" loan from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

Susquehanna, developer for "Impact Warren", applied for the loan to help with construction. The loan is the responsibility of Susquehanna at no payment for 25 years and no interest. The money will be used to finance construction of the upper two floors of Allegheny Point, which will contain 20 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom housing units, all with handicapped access, for persons aged 62 and older.