Charleroi officials: Coyle effort futile
“Two Charleroi officials insist attempts to restore the dilapidated Coyle Theater are futile, and they continued to echo those sentiments Thursday at a council meeting.
However, Mayor John Mollenauer and Councilman Larry Celaschi conceded that the borough has limited options when it comes to razing the 120-year-old structure and letting a local business take its place.
Mollenauer read a letter from John J. LaCarte, president of Model Cleaners in Charleroi, expressing interest in acquiring the property to “construct a new office building for our administrative, sales and executive staff.”
However, the Coyle is not Charleroi’s to give. The theater is owned by the Mon Valley Cultural Trust.
“I think this has become an emotional issue, not pragmatic,” Mollenauer said.
“I think the people involved in this have good intentions, but they’re not being practical. And I feel we have an economic opportunity that could enhance our community with a high-class facility.””
Bruni, Rick. Trib Live 10 October 2014.