By Tom Boyle

special to the meadville tribune

TITUSVILLE — Outside of Titusville, along Route 8 south, a Gateway Project oil derrick sits, greeting everyone coming into the city where the first modern oil well was drilled.

And there is a window of opportunity for a second mock derrick to be erected at another location, if things can fall into place quickly.

At a recent meeting of the Titusville Redevelopment Authority, Kim Harris of the Oil Region Alliance told TRA officials there is a chance for a another derrick project to be completed if matching funds can be found.

Harris said the developer of the project recently came to her with the idea of putting up another derrick. She said the price tag for the project is $22,000 — and half the money would need to be raised locally. She said the deadline for having the project complete is Dec. 31.

The location most feasible for the second derrick would be at 273 Titusville Opportunity Park, which is why Harris approached the TRA about the project. TRA operates the site as a business incubator.

Leah Carter, vice president of Titusville Renaissance Inc., told TRA members that plans call for the derricks to be put into place at all four entrances to the city. The other two sites would be along Route 8 north and Route 27 west. Getting the derrick in at the Opportunity Park location would be the best way to put up a second derrick, due to time constraints with the other two locations, she said.

Harris brought with her to the meeting a draft agreement in regard to the project. However, she noted that the first thing that needed to be done was to have the funding in place.

“Until matching funds are secured, I am not permitted to move ahead,” Harris told the board.

Carter told Harris that volunteer organizations, such as Take Pride in Titusville, would be willing to work on the project.

TRA board member Jim Nystrom said it would be possible for the redevelopment authority to do a long-term lease agreement between the city and TRA in regard to the property on which the project would be placed.

“Is a 15-year lease unreasonable?” asked Harris.

“I don’t think it would be problem,” answered Nystrom.

Nystrom, who also serves as deputy mayor on Titusville City Council, said he would discuss the project with the Council City.