Power board looks to expand

  • Murphy Power Board has offered to purchase the property next to a building they already own on Hill Street to help keep crews isolated during the panemic. General Manager Larry Kernea said the utility will help those renting space. Photo by David Brown
    Murphy Power Board has offered to purchase the property next to a building they already own on Hill Street to help keep crews isolated during the panemic. General Manager Larry Kernea said the utility will help those renting space. Photo by David Brown

        Murphy – Murphy Electric Power Board has offered to purchase property adjacent to property it already owns on Hill Street.
        The property, the former Shields Motel, is the home of several businesses, including hair salons, a barber shop and a pet groomer.
        The power board owns property at 402 Hill St., which it has been using to run crews out from it. The space has allowed them to keep crews isolated during the coronavirus pandemic, General Manager Larry Kernea said.
        “It’s been a great building for us,” he said. “It’s given us flexibility.”
        However, while walking past that property recently, Kernea noticed the parking lot could use some work. He was concerned about the project’s impact – like water runoff – to the businesses renting space on the adjacent property.
        He realized that purchasing the property next door could relieve that issue. That would give the power board the opportunity to use the property for storage of trucks and equipment as well as a staging area.
        If the power board is successful in purchasing the property, the buildings will be torn down. Kernea told the property owner he was willing to assist those renting space.
        “We’ll help any way in the world,” he said.