The future of the mural wall on North Center Street and a study examining the Corry Fire Department’s facilities and operations were among the major topics discussed during Corry City Council’s November 9 work session.
Several residents joined the mural wall discussion, along with White Butterfly building owner Lorrie Kostreba, as concerns were raised about the city’s plans for the wall, the future of the building and the handling of the matter. The deteriorating city-owned wall is attached to the exterior of the building.
One significant point was Mayor Jeffrey Fike’s confirmation that the city is no longer interested in purchasing the building. When Kostreba asked whether the city was still pursuing a purchase, Fike responded, “We are not.”
She said she had not been informed that the city had changed its position and questioned why she had not received that information. She also questioned why the process has taken so long.
“It’s not a waiting game. This doesn’t move quickly. None of this moves quickly,” said Fike
Communication between the property owner and city representatives was a recurring issue. Kostreba said her attorney had not received responses from the city. City Solicitor Caparosa disputed that, saying she had emailed the attorney to arrange an inspection and had not received a reply. There was also disagreement over a counteroffer related to the possible purchase of the building. Fike said the city had repeatedly requested a written response, while Kostreba maintained that one had been sent months earlier. When the parties were asked about the correspondence, neither side provided specific documentation during the meeting.
Fike explained that the city planned to bring in code enforcement and engineering personnel to inspect the building before dismantling the wall from the top down. He said the inspection was intended to ensure the work could be completed safely and that any impact on the White Butterfly building would have to be assessed as the wall was taken down. Kostreba questioned the timing of the plan and said she had not received any information about the plan. Caparosa said she was willing to discuss the process with Kostreba’s attorney.
Another issue that remained unresolved was the status of emergency repairs previously authorized by council. During the discussion, Kostreba asked why the repairs to the wall had not been completed. Fike responded that he did not have the answer to that.
UC Today previously reported that on March 16, 2026, council unanimously approved a $3,000 emergency masonry restoration project for the mural wall at 26 North Center Street, to be performed by Fiske and Sons, Inc., with funding from the General Fund’s contracted services line item. Minutes from that meeting posted on the City of Corry web site confirm the motion was approved. The November meeting did not establish why the authorized work had not taken place.
Councilwoman Charles E. Gray, speaking separately in her role with Impact Corry, said the organization had pledged to restore the mural and preserve the memorial bricks if they were removed. Gray said the extent of the work would depend on engineering recommendations and what was necessary to protect the adjoining building.
The work session also included a presentation of a fire study conducted with assistance from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Consultant Levi Hipps presented the study, which was finalized in August 2026 and examined the department’s facilities and operations.
The study reviewed four fire service locations: the city’s two fire stations, an additional equipment-storage building and the Columbus Township station. Hipps identified limitations at some facilities, including inadequate storage and space for daily operations.
The study recommended consolidating operations around two locations. The proposed primary station would be in the central Corry corridor near Center Street, while the existing Columbus Township station on West Main Street would serve as a satellite location with limited apparatus.
The proposed primary facility could accommodate frontline equipment, command and administrative personnel, and potentially provide shared space for fire, police and emergency management operations.
The presentation noted that the department responded to 1,173 alarms in 2025. It also reviewed the financial demands of fire protection, which accounted for approximately $912,349 of the city’s $4.86 million municipal budget in 2024.
The study identified aging facilities, limited space and the challenges of serving an area with residential, commercial and industrial properties, along with major roads and rail lines. Further work would be needed to evaluate potential sites, develop designs and cost estimates, and determine a transition plan.
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