This article was funded by LebTown donors as part of our Civic Impact Reporting Project.
West Cornwall Township supervisors have their eyes on one of the oldest buildings in Quentin that’s for sale.
At their Feb. 11 meeting, supervisors reported they had held two executive sessions to discuss the building at 67 W. Main St.
The almost half-acre property at the corner of Zinns Mill Road and state Route 419 includes a stone building of historic interest as well as a black-topped private parking area.
Since the property went on the market, West Cornwall Township supervisors have considered purchasing it, supervisor David Lloyd said at the meeting.
“We’re looking at what we could do with the building, we’re exploring it,” Lloyd said.
For the township, one of the property’s selling points is the black-topped area, which could become much-needed public parking for Quentin businesses and residents.
“We’ve had a parking problem since I’ve been here,” said supervisor Dennis Tulli, who estimated the lot could provide as many as 28 new spaces.
Quentin’s founding predates automobiles, so streets are narrow and parking areas, garages and driveways almost non-existent. As a result, visitors and shoppers vie with residents for on-street parking.
Conversion of the lot into public parking could serve 10 or more businesses in Quentin, township engineer Jeff Steckbeck said.
Others at the meeting spoke to the property’s history and need to preserve it. There was no discussion by supervisors about removal of the building. While the stone structure is currently vacant, long-time Quentin residents said the building originally was a livery stable and blacksmith with a pasture for horses to the rear.
Once cars became ubiquitous, the building was converted to a gas station, which later closed.
“It is a beautiful historic building in the center of our town that should be preserved,” said Kim Juliani, Quentin resident.
West Cornwall Township supervisors meet at 73 S. Zinns Mill Road on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The next meeting is Monday, March 11. The meetings are open to the public and do not require registration.
Read More: How Bismarck, PA in Lebanon County was renamed for Teddy Roosevelt’s son, Quentin
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