The South Fayette commissioners have taken a significant step toward buying a new home, by approving the borrowing of $5.25 million to buy the former Star City Cinema building on Route 50.

The decision was made Tuesday over a "no" vote from commissioner Sue Caffrey, who believes the township is rushing into a decision without studying its needs, and is spending more than it should.

Ms. Caffrey, who is on vacation, attended the meeting by phone.

"Creating indebtedness for the taxpayers of the township doesn't seem prudent at this juncture," she said in e-mail comments.

Other commissioners, however, see it as an opportunity that is too good to pass up: The 95,000-square-foot building can house all township services, and with an expanded second floor could house a community center with gymnasiums as well; it sits on 15 acres, some of which could be sold as outparcels and some of which could be converted for use as ball fields and park space; and they're buying it for about half of its appraised value.

The township also got a break on the interest rates: A dip in the bond market let them lock in a rate of 4.77 percent, down from the 5.29 percent quoted to the commissioners a week earlier. Solicitor Jon Kamin said the result will be a $40,000 annual savings.

The bond issue includes an additional $2.79 million to refinance existing debt, bringing the total borrowed to $8.04 million.