Council approves purchase of 8 Washington St.; asbestos testing pending, funds appropriated

Canal Winchester council voted on March 17 to authorize purchase of 8 Washington Street, a small house adjacent to Geiler Park, and to add appropriation funds so the city can close the transaction once asbestos testing is complete.

The ordinance (25-004) authorizes the mayor to enter into a real-estate purchase agreement for the property owned by Esther M. Whitelother, trustee of the Esther M. Whitelother Revocable Trust. The council moved to waive second and third readings and then adopted the ordinance during the same meeting. Finance Director Amanda Jackson presented an accompanying appropriation amendment (ordinance 25-006) that adds the necessary purchase funds and requested a waiver of second and third readings so the city can close after receipt of asbestos results.

City staff said an asbestos survey has been completed and results were expected back the week of March 17; staff advised council that the appropriation request includes contingencies for expected demolition or remediation costs. Amanda Jackson told council: "With the extra money that's in the appropriation request this evening, plus the fluff, if you will, that we always build in for unexpected projects, we should be fine." City attorney and real-estate staff were present; Michael McDonald, an attorney in the city’s office real-estate section, was noted as handling the transaction.

Council approved suspending the rules to waive additional readings and then adopted both the purchase ordinance and the appropriation ordinance by roll call. The city will close on the property only after receipt and review of the asbestos report and any required remediation steps.