United Way staff members, from left, Lisa Leonhard and Dawn Grochalski pack Christmas decorations at the organization's new office on Jefferson Street. The former United Way building was sold to the owners of Butler Preowned Auto Sales and Service.

United Way of Butler County has moved from Route 8, south of Butler, to a city address.

Executive Director Kierston Hobaugh said the move to 407-A W. Jefferson St., has been planned for several months.

She said the sale of the tiny United Way building on Route 8 South in Butler Township was delayed from its original closing date last October.

Hobaugh said the plan was to announce the United Way's move after the closing in October, but the closing didn't occur until Jan. 6, three days before the organization's plan to move on Jan. 9.

“It (the move) did seem quick, but it wasn't. Our move has been planned since September,” she said.

The building that housed United Way was purchased by owners of Butler Preowned Auto Sales and Service, which is adjacent to the former United Way property. The owners approached the United Way about the buying the property last year.

Although the former building was small, Hobaugh said space wasn't the issue. She said the setup of the building was not conducive to the type of public business the organization does.

The conference room in the former building was too small for some meetings and, because it was downstairs, it was not handicapped accessible.

The new office, which is within the C.W. Howard building, and is all on one floor, is compliant with federal accessibility requirements.

The office is within walking distance of the other agencies that partner with United Way.