Rossford council schedules special meeting as city weighs purchase of former Rite Aid building

Rossford City Council members voted on June 24 to hold a special meeting at 6 p.m. June 30 to consider an ordinance authorizing the administration to take necessary steps to purchase the former Rite Aid parcel downtown.

The discussion followed remarks from Rex Hoffman of the Port Authority, who said the Port Authority obtained the building under a purchase agreement and that the agreement—s extension expires July 8. "We have the building under option. Or, actually under a purchase agreement. I think it's 1,200,000 and that was for 120 days and that expired in April and we extended that, for another 90 days and that 90 days expires July, July 8," Hoffman said. He later stated a purchase price of "1,300,000.0." Allison (staff member) told council the administration had prepared ordinance 2025-44 to put the parcel under city control and allow the city to decide future uses.

Council members pressed on timing and funding. One councilor asked whether Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds could be used; the response in the meeting was: "We can, yes." Council members expressed differing views about advancing a purchase at first reading rather than allowing more public input. After some councilors said they were uncomfortable passing a first reading for a $1.3 million purchase, members set a special meeting so the council could act before the Port Authority's option expired.

Resident and former Rite Aid supervisor Colin Bryce Fraser addressed council during public comment, asking whether the city intended to keep the building for municipal uses or to resell it for a new pharmacy. Hoffman described the vision he had shown developers: "I see it as a hybrid. For example, in a couple years, that intersection is due, to be improved. So it would probably, and I'm guessing, but I, I don't think I'm off, is it would probably cost us about half that just to get the right of way... You'd have hospitality and retail on the Ground Floor, and maybe some multifamily housing on the upper floors." Fraser also asked about plumbing and parking; Hoffman said the infrastructure "is already there."

Council formally moved and voted to set the special meeting specifically to consider ordinance 2025-44. The council clerk confirmed the meeting date and time; the motion to set a special meeting passed with council votes recorded as aye by Echol, Tinney, Owen, Heben, Toth, Obendorf and others who answered in the affirmative.

Why it matters: the Port Authority's purchase agreement and the July 8 deadline put time pressure on the council to decide whether to use public funds, including TIF resources, to control the site. Council members flagged the need for broader public input before a final decision but scheduled a meeting to allow legal and financial steps to proceed if the council chooses to act.

Next steps: the council will convene the special meeting at 6 p.m. June 30 to consider ordinance 2025-44. If the council acts and declares an emergency, state and local charter rules discussed during the meeting require a specified quorum to pass emergency measures.