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Galion City Council approves bidding step for Big Four Depot renovation after extended public debate
Summary
After more than an hour of public comment and council questions about funding and long-term operation, Galion City Council voted to authorize advertising for bids and to proceed toward contracting for the Big Four Depot renovation project, while members emphasized the need for a clear operating plan and contingency funding if grants fall through.
Galion City Council on Monday approved ordinance 2024-97 to advertise for bids and move toward contracting on the Big Four Depot renovation, following extended public comment and council discussion about financing and future operations.
The decision advances a renovation plan supporters say will finish the depot’s interior and provide rentable spaces including a second-floor entrepreneurial center funded in part by JobsOhio. The action the council approved authorizes the safety-service director to solicit bids and enter into a contract with the lowest and best bidder and was passed as an emergency measure.
City and volunteer representatives described a decade of work on the depot. Gertrude Slaughter, speaking as a member of both Friends of the Depot and Depot Inc., told council the building has been used frequently for community events and that volunteers have done much of the work. “We’ve invested a lot of time and money,” Slaughter said, noting the city had already put “$956,000” into the project and that roughly “$1,491,000 of grant money” was available, leaving an approximate local gap of “$143,000.”
Council members pressed staff and advocates for details about long-term operations, maintenance and contingency plans if outside grants are delayed or reduced. Council Member George asked whether the renovation budget included ongoing janitorial and repair funding and requested a strategic plan showing how the community would use the facility. “It should belong to the community,” she said, asking for a plan for programming, rental schedules and maintenance reserves.
Supporters said a business plan — which they said passed JobsOhio’s review and underpinned an $800,000 JobsOhio award — anticipates revenue from rentals, a principal tenant (a senior transportation group), second-floor co‑working or entrepreneurial space, and events. A council member said the JobsOhio-funded second floor is intended for an entrepreneurial center and job-sharing space. Council members asked that the project’s business plan be distributed to the full council for review; the mayor and staff agreed to provide the plan and arrange tours of the depot for council members.
Council members also discussed the sources of local matching funds. Staff and the mayor said the city share includes amounts from the capital improvement/permanent improvement fund that originated from sale proceeds of a city property; they emphasized that those funds are not from general tax levy dollars. Council members asked that any additional appropriations needed if a grant falls through be returned to council for a separate vote.
Because the ordinance before council authorized only advertising for bids and contracting with the lowest responsive bidder, council members noted further budget appropriations would be required before additional city funds could be spent. Multiple council members said they supported the motion but asked staff to return with clearer documentation of funding sources and an operating/reserve plan before construction work begins.
Ending: Council approved the bid-authorizing ordinance on a roll call following the discussion. Staff said they will send the project business plan to council, schedule building tours, and return with any appropriation requests should bids and grant timing require additional local dollars.
