MOUNT VERNON — Mount Vernon Nazarene University will soon be occupying more property in downtown Mount Vernon. John Montenery informed the News on Friday that he had closed a deal with MVNU to sell the property at 201 S. Main St. to the local university. Montenery had owned the property since 1992 when he purchased it from Walter Rudin, as it then housed Heckler Drugs. The building was destroyed by fire on Oct. 25, with the lot now sitting empty after building demolition.
“We have administrators working on a plan for the property,” said Carrie Crouch, director of communications at MVNU. We would like to maintain control of that property since there is a shared wall.” The university currently owns the Buchwald Center next to the empty lot as well as the next building to the south where a nursing education center is under construction.
With no definite plans announced on what will be done with the property, administrators had not set any timeline on any potential projects as of Monday.
“Whatever goes in will be of quality construction,” said Crouch. “We will significantly improve the exterior wall of the building as well. Plans are in the works.”
