Blog Archives

The Barrow gets a little high brow with Ludwig Von to Man of La Mancha

3/30/2025

The Venango Symphony Orchestra performed Fidelio Overture (abridged) Op. 72 by Ludwig Von Beethoven to kick off their annual concert Sunday afternoon at the Barrow-Civic Theatre. Under the direction of maestro Terri Wittreich the orchestra made up a scattering of northwest Pennsylvania musicians, they played pieces from Handel, The Man of La Mancha, Verdi, David Holsinger and Ernest Gold.

The orchestra, which is a multi-generational collaboration, survives primarily from donations. They are always looking for new members who can play.

For more information contact anyone from the band and donations can be mailed to 10 Gateway Drive, Oil City, Pa. 16301

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Plans for abandoned property in Franklin

3/28/2025

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Edited to clarify location being across from Jones Hardwoods on Atlantic Avenue, not Franklin Industries.

The Oil Region Alliance is now the owner of long abandoned property that once housed PVC manufacturer JM Eagle.

Sitting between Atlantic Avenue and Grant Street, the 3.43 acre lot with buildings was purchased on March 18 for $125,000, according to the Venango County government website.

The property is located across the street from the Purple Goose and Jones Hardwoods and next to the Sava-A-Lot/ Family Dollar. Once valued at $1.3 million, it was most recently assessed at $600,020.

With the purchase now complete, the ORA says they plan to clean up and redevelop the area into a "multi-generational outdoor recreation facility." Though their press release (below) sent Thursday does not explain what that means exactly, it seeks to remedy a seemingly long forgotten property and building that was originally builtt in 1975 and has sat unused for 30 years.

Below is the press release in full with photos from Eight & 322

OIL CITY, PA— The Oil Region Alliance (ORA) purchased the JM Eagle brownfield site in
Franklin’s Third Ward last week.

The property at 315 Grant St. has been vacant for about the last 30 years following PVC pipe manufacturer JM Eagle’s move to Cochranton in Crawford County.

“We are excited for this opportunity to clean the site and create a community asset,” said ORA President and CEO John R. Phillips, II.

The ORA plans to develop a multi-generational outdoor recreation facility on the site, which the ORA will own and maintain, according to Phillips.

The ORA is partnering with the City of Franklin and the Franklin Industrial and Commercial Development Authority, as well as funding partners, the McElhatten Foundation and the Beith family.

Late local realtor Richard Beith had been in talks with Phillips about the property’s potential prior to his passing in October 2024. Now his family, including his wife and three children, is taking on the project to preserve his legacy.

“The Beith Family is ecstatic to have the opportunity to work on this project with the ORA, the City of Franklin, the McElhattan Foundation, and the residents of Franklin,” said Beith’s son Matt (Beith), who is also a local realtor. “My father and I spent many afternoons over the last decade talking about ways that this site might be redeveloped into a more productive use. Most of our conversations revolved around finding a buyer who would use the site in its current configuration; over the years, we even had several people approach us about buying it. Unfortunately, no transaction ever came together.”

The ORA had been negotiating the purchase of the JM Eagle site for more than two years,
according to Phillips, but its partners - the City of Franklin and FICDA had been working for a solution for the last 30 years since the plant was known as the Johns Manville plant and
produced asbestos products. Before that the property was part of a refinery site with more than
100 tanks.

A week before my father died, he came to me with this idea to redevelop the site into a recreational green space for the Third Ward,” said Beith. “As is true in real estate, the timing is everything, and my family had the opportunity to pursue this project. Sadly, my father isn’t around to see his idea take shape. But we are dedicated to making his vision a reality and are honored to collaborate with the residents and other partners to create a functional green space in the Third Ward.”

This project will increase property values in the Third Ward and create additional opportunities to connect with and take advantage of French Creek while also serving as a gateway into the city, according to Phillips.

“On behalf of the City of Franklin, I want to sincerely thank the Oil Region Alliance, the McElhattans, and the Beith Family for their dedication and commitment to this important project,” said City of Franklin Mayor Douglas Baker.

“Their leadership and investment in the clean-up of the JM property will have a lasting impact onour community. For too long, this site has been a challenge for the surrounding neighborhood, but with this effort, we are taking meaningful steps toward positive change. We look forward to seeing this site transformed into a true community asset,” Baker said.

Amanda Power, City of Franklin Community and Economic Development Director, echoed the mayor’s thoughts. “The revitalization of the JM property is more than just an environmental clean-up—it’s an investment in Franklin’s future,” Power said.

“This project holds tremendous potential to enhance the quality of life for the residents of the Third Ward. By working with the Oil Region Alliance and our private and non-profit partners, we are turning a long-neglected site into a catalyst for community growth and development. This is a vital step in ensuring Franklin remains a vibrant place to live, work, and do business,” said Power.

This type of project is right up the alley of the McElhattan Foundation, which states a commitment to the “economic prosperity and overall well-being” of the community of Franklin, where their family is rooted, directly on its website.

“The McElhattan Foundation is proud to collaborate with our valued partners—the Oil Region Alliance, the City of Franklin, and the Beith Family—on this transformational project in Franklin’s Third Ward,” said McElhattan Foundation Program Officer Sarah Pistella. “We believe that third spaces and accessible public spaces play a vital role in strengthening social connections, fostering economic mobility, and improving overall health outcomes. By investing in this project, we aim to create a welcoming, inclusive space where residents can gather, connect, and access opportunities. We are excited to see the lasting impact this initiative will have on the community.”

This will be the first project for the ORA within Franklin’s footprint. The non-profit already owns Sandycreek Industrial Park to the south of the city limits. The ORA owns brownfield sites in Oil City and Emlenton in addition to historic properties throughout the Oil Region National Heritage Area, which is comprised of all of Venango County and the southwest corner of Crawford County and managed by the ORA.

“This project is a very impactful brownfield that the ORA is committed to remediate for the benefit of the third ward and a gateway to the city,” Phillips said. “I am so excited to have this strong partnership assembled to work with us to make a better Franklin.”

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Getting ready for Franklin High's 95th Broadcast

3/27/2025

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Franklin Area High School's annual springtime tradition turns 95 this year. The Broadcast showcase of talent that includes live music performed by students, no recorded music what-so-ever as well as several dance routines.

There are two chances to see this little over an hour long show and to support the young performers who have worked hard to bring this show to life. Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the school's auditorium.

Back on the market

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'Rumors' have it - A new Barrow production opens Friday

3/12/2025

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Half cooked dinner, absent party hostess, and friend with an injury aren't the usual characteristics of a successful anniversary party, but it makes a humorous start the memorable Neil Simon play "Rumors" opening Friday at the Barrow-Civic Theatre.

We could speculate about what character might be your favorite between Ken, Len and Glenn.

But gossip says it could be Ernie.

The word on the street is that Chris, Cookie, Claire and Cassie know how to keep a party hopping. But the tea might have been spilled before anyone even arrived.

You have six chances to find out the scuttlebutt. There will be performances at 7:30 p.m. March 14, 15, 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. on March 16 and 23. Tickets are available at the box office before each show or online at www.barrowtheatre.org.