Sewickley officials have cleared a hurdle for a Pittsburgh-based company to move its headquarters to the borough.
Council unanimously voted Sept. 8 to approve a conditional/mixed use application for 418 Beaver St.
AE Works, a building/consulting and design firm founded by Sewickley resident Michael Cherock, will be relocating its main office from Sandusky Street in the city to the former Explore Sewickley building in the borough’s commercial district.
“We’re very excited about the project,” Cherok said. “This project represents a key strategy. We’re looking to be able to bring key stakeholders, both internal and external, to the building. This will complement our other offices.
“We love the proximity to the airport and certainly the location in Sewickley. Everything the borough offers is something that’s very attractive to us. We’re very excited about being able to locate here.”
Council’s approval was contingent upon the firm leasing five parking spaces.
“We’ve had several issues with commuters parking in residential zones,” Councilman Tom Rostek said. “I think that will help alleviate some of that pressure.”
Other council members also said parking was a concern, but they are happy to see companies investing in the town.
“Thank you for choosing Sewickley,” Councilwoman Julie Barnes said. “I think the building looks beautiful.”
Plans include creating a second floor to the current building with the first floor used as retail space.
The second floor would be for professional offices and small meeting areas.
Cherok said the facility will be used as a corporate training and meeting center, and employees will not be in the building full-time.
The lot is 1,740 square feet. There would be access from Beaver and Water streets. The company also plans to acquire leases for at least five parking spaces.
It’s unclear when construction would begin.
Borough planning commission gave its approval of the conditional/mixed use application Sept. 2.
Borough code and zoning technician Randy McCray said at the time retail and professional office space are both permitted uses in what’s colloquially called the village, but having them both in one building makes it a conditional/mixed use.
The company’s presentation was attached to the planning commission agenda, which is available online at sewickleyborough.org.
AE Works has offices in State College and Arlington, VA.
The firm offers engineering, architectural, interior design and a host of other services.
A retailer for the first floor has not been announced.
The building was constructed in 1974 as a bank and renovated in 2015 for Explore Sewickley, a nonprofit designed to promote and improve the borough.
In other matters
Council accepted the resignation of Ed Green from the planning commission.
Green was appointed to council earlier this month to fill the seat vacated by Hendrik van der Vaart of Ward 2.
The former councilman resigned from his elected post last month. He’s moving out of state. His term expires at the end of 2023.
Green has been a resident of Sewickley for 20 years, and served on the planning commission the past year and a half.
Michael DiVittorio is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Michael at 412-871-2367, mdivittorio@triblive.com or via Twitter .