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Council debate intensifies over 1500 West Galbraith: remediation, renovation and ARPA deadline
Summary
Council members split over how to handle the city center at 1500 West Galbraith. A resolution expressing intent to renovate drew debate about costs, expired estimates and a $480,000 ARPA encumbrance that must be started by July to avoid losing the money.
The North College Hill City Council spent much of its March 17 meeting debating the future of the city center at 1500 West Galbraith, with members sharply divided over whether to remediate environmental hazards, proceed with renovation or demolish the structure.
Council advanced discussion on a resolution expressing the council’s intent to renovate the building, but a separate motion to suspend second and third readings on that resolution failed 4-3, leaving the item at first reading rather than adopting immediate action. Council members raised the clock on available federal funds: City Administrator Duxtine told council that $480,000 of ARPA funds had been encumbered for the project and that work must be started by July or the money will be returned.
Council members and staff reviewed past informal contractor estimates ranging from tens of thousands for targeted work to multiple millions for full renovation. Council Member Orban said the proposals on file included an Icon Property Rescue quote for $22,848 that had lapsed long ago and a June 2024 RWB estimate listing an estimated $3,265,426 with numerous exclusions. An environmental assessment by a firm referred to as BNN earlier in 2024 suggested a range of $3 million to $9 million for full scope work.
Several council members urged hiring a qualified architect or engineering firm to prepare a comprehensive feasibility study and cost estimate. Planning commissioner and outside consultants, council members said, could also assist with grant pursuit and funding strategies. Council Member Dieters (speaker identified as ‘Mister Dieters’ in the transcript) suggested issuing a request for proposals for architectural services, narrowing candidates to three and holding presentations for council.
City Administrator Duxtine said asbestos abatement is required if the city demolishes the building; she added that remediating asbestos and mold together is more cost-effective than sequencing those jobs and paying twice. “If you remediate the asbestos you also need to remediate the mold,” she said. Duxtine also stated the broader ARPA total referenced for other potential projects was larger (total ARPA funds were noted as roughly $860,000) while $480,000 was the amount specifically encumbered for this site.
Public sentiment in a council-run survey showed residents favoring youth and family programs and — in preliminary results — 65% of respondents said they wanted the 1500 West Galbraith building “cleaned up and torn down.” Council members said 90 survey responses had been received to date and that a town hall is planned once council compiles the outstanding technical estimates and options.
No formal decision to demolish or renovate was made; council will continue to gather architect/engineer proposals, updated contractor estimates and community feedback before voting on a final course of action. Council members emphasized time sensitivity: several warned the building is deteriorating and earlier contractor estimates have expired.
Votes at a glance: Council did not adopt the renovation-intent resolution at the meeting; a motion to suspend additional readings failed 4-3. Other funding- and timeline-related resolutions remain pending.
