An Altoona man who has battled the city for two years trying to open a church and community center on 5^th Avenue finally has the city’s ok.
 
Planning Director Lee Slusser tells WRTA News that Lou Grillo’s Archway Center project was given the green light Wednesday. Slusser says Grillo can begin using the former 5^th Avenue United Methodist Church building for weddings, social events, Christian concerts and other community programs.
 

 
Grillo – who is an ordained minister – originally wanted to use the building as a youth outreach center, but ran into several roadblocks as he attempted to meet zoning requirements. So he sought non-profit status to use the facility as a church.