The conversation regarding a New Jersey man’s expansive ideas on how to revitalize Oil City, a location where he owns a slew of large downtown buildings, continues to buzz.
At the same time, there is a persistent “wait-and-see” attitude among some in business and government circles.
Milan Adamovsky, 41, a software engineer who bought a half-dozen buildings in the North Side business district over the past four months, has attracted a large Facebook following.
His multistory buildings, some of which are empty while others are partially filled with tenants, are prime spots for development, said Adamovsky.
He told a group of his Facebook followers at a meeting on Feb. 27 in Oil City that his goal is to serve as “the strategizer” to refurbish the buildings and lure new tenants.
He has scheduled a second “town hall meeting” for 5 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the former Grandview Estates furniture store on Center Street. Attendance is limited to about 60 members of his Facebook site. Adamovsky is billing it as “an evening full of discussion, networking and envisioning.”
Meanwhile, Adamovsky has been talking with contractors, signing up “team leaders” to pursue retail and other business options, inquiring about possible business-related grants, exploring tax incentives and more.
No actual renovation work has begun on any of the buildings.
He is also seeking other property to possibly buy. Those locations have included a now vacant lot along Main Street and a former movie theater, both in Oil City.
Adamovsky is also considering at least one property in downtown Franklin.
To date, he has mentioned only one finite business venture: opening an upscale ice cream parlor at 106 Center St. There’s no timeline for that project.
In explaining his main goal is “to help rebuild communities,” Adamovsky said he also wants the projects to be successful and create revenue for him. He insists, though, “I don’t have the capital to do all of this … By no means do I have millions of dollars sitting in a bank account.”
That vagueness about his financial wherewithal as well as a lack of definitive rehabilitation projects and rosters of potential tenants are worrisome to some individuals whose job descriptions include the city’s business fortunes.
‘I am cautiously optimistic’
Oil City Manager Mark Schroyer, who hasn’t met Adamovsky, said the real estate buyer has not personally approached the city about tax incentives or financial assistance.
“The indications are that he is positive and has a good outlook to want to help the city,” said Schroyer. “My position is that I am cautiously optimistic. But, many of his downtown buildings are in need of extensive rehabilitation and that will come at considerable cost. We’re taking a wait and see approach as to what happens with him.”
At some point, Adamovsky will have to deal directly with the city, said Schroyer.
“There are (building) code issues that need addressed in any significant upgrades, and those require the appropriate plans and permits,” said the city manager. “This has not occurred yet.”
Schroyer said the redevelopment emphasis of the 1960s and 1970s has “swung the other way with historic preservation coming into play now.”
“But you need strong purse strings for that. Oftentimes, people make suggestions on projects without truly understanding the logistics of trying to pull those things together,” said Schroyer.
“He is a private developer and so we are going to welcome him with open arms. But, this all has to be done within the confines of state and city codes. And that comes down to money.”
Schroyer is wary of would-be developers whose promises go awry.
“The beauty of it is that he owns these buildings, and so when you have a private developer with the financial wherewithal to rehab them, it’s the best of both worlds,” he said. “Obviously, it is a concern because we have seen this in the past and then the properties go back on the taxpayers.
“My concern is that the city could be left holding the bag, if he walks away, and have to use public funds to either rehabilitate the buildings or demolish them.”
‘We need to be connected’
Susan Williams, executive director of the Venango Area Chamber of Commerce, has met with Adamovsky and came away with the impression that “he feels very genuine as to his intentions and what he would like to have happen.”
However, Williams wants the property investor to do his homework.
“I’ve seen when big ideas were very successful and other times when they fall flat,” she said. “My advice is to talk to the people who can get you up to date on projects, both new and old. I would encourage everyone who is excited about his energy to not pass up the opportunity to do that.
“There are a lot of people here who have been working on some of these things for a long time and they understand what some of the challenges are.”
“I don’t know why we can’t all get excited when someone wants to invest in our community,” she said. “And I’m delighted to see the amount of public response he has drawn.
“But now the hard work comes – how do we support him and get him to understand what we have been through here and how we have dealt with those issues. We need to be connected.”
The chamber intends to work with Adamovsky and provide support when warranted, said Williams.
“The biggest thing we can do is the networking, connecting him to the businesses he will want to work with,” she said. “We would love to help him with those introductions.”
‘Existing businesses … need support’
Kathy Bailey, director of the city’s Main Street program, was one of the first Oil City residents contacted by Adamovsky as he flirted with buying downtown properties.
In meeting with him, she shared information about available resources, funding avenues, business connections and more.
“It is interesting to see the amount of enthusiasm among so many,” she said. “There is a lot of talk about revitalization in these conversations and I would note that this is something we have been working on for the past 10 years.
“What we’ve been doing is tilling the soil, planting the seeds – revitalization is incremental change and it takes time to happen. And, it is never complete.”
Bailey said she is hopeful the renewed interest doesn’t go away.
“There is enthusiasm at the beginning, but when projects take a long time, that interest changes. I know there is a sense among some that people are finally doing something, but a lot of these things have been in the works for a long time,” said Bailey.
“This all takes collaboration, a combination of private entrepreneurs working in tandem with the city, various agencies and other partners. And, you need some capital to do this.”
While supportive of Adamovsky’s self-styled mission, Bailey is emphatic that existing Oil City businesses not be ignored.
“All the enthusiasm about bringing in new businesses is great and, of course, we agree with that goal,” she said. “But, we have existing businesses – about 130 businesses and organizations in our downtown – and they need support. So, I hope that everyone who is excited about this effort is as passionate about supporting the businesses and services we have.”
