Westmoreland County treasurer buys historic Greensburg building

Westmoreland County Treasurer Jared Squires has purchased a long-vacant, five-story building in downtown Greensburg, with plans to turn it into a dance studio, office space and apartments.

Squires’ company, Line 6 Inc., bought 205 S. Pennsylvania Ave. from the Greensburg Community Development Corp. for $95,000.

“I’ve seen this building a lot walking around the city, and with Greensburg’s current rebirth I thought there was a lot of potential in this building,” he said.

It was constructed in 1906 by Dr. Edward M. Clifford, and was occupied by Clifford and Osterwise Pharmacies through the 1920s, according to the GCDC.

It changed hands numerous times over the next century. In the 1980s, a fire ruined the upper floors, which have been vacant since. The ground floor has been unused since the early 2000s, when My Wishing Well gift shop closed.

GCDC bought it for $45,000 in 2015.

“The Greensburg Community Development Corporation is thrilled to be a part of the continued revitalization of South Pennsylvania Avenue, and Mr. Squires’ investment into downtown Greensburg’s promising future,” GCDC Director Ashley Kertes said in a statement.

The corporation — a nonprofit that works with city government to foster downtown development — replaced the roof and the first-floor windows. There’s still a lot of work needed to get the 114-year-old structure business-ready.

“I think this building is in need of some TLC, and I’m excited to get started with it,” Squires said.

He’s working with Greensburg architect Lee Calisti on designs, with hopes to start construction sometime this summer.

He plans to preserve the historical look of the building’s exterior, while making major renovations inside.

Squires wife, Eve Squires, is a ballroom dancer. He said the first floor of the building will be a dance studio, the second will have two office suites, and the remaining three floors will be apartments.

“It’s going to be a fun place to be,” he said, “and I think it’s going to be a real unique location to visit in the city of Greensburg.”

Squires has been county treasurer since 2011, and was re-elected to a third term in November.