Finance committee backs relocating Interurban building to McDowell Phillips property; formal transfer and preservation agreement to be drafted

Medina’s finance committee discussed three potential final locations for the historic Interurban station and moved toward placing the structure on the Medina County Historical Society property at 205 South Prospect under the care of the Community Design Committee (CDC), subject to formal agreements and a review by the city’s Historic Preservation Board.

Committee members and outside speakers described three options: return the Interurban to the northeast corner of the Fekley lot adjacent to the Legacy Hotel (developer Jason Stevenson’s proposal), a temporary and then permanent placement at the McDowell Phillips House property (the Historical Society’s proposal, supported by the Community Design Committee), or a possible third city-owned bump-out south of the unit’s current location.

Supporters from the Medina Community Design Committee and the Medina County Historical Society emphasized preservation, security and public interpretation. Michelle Nichols, chair of the Community Design Committee, told the committee the CDC had maintained the building for three decades, provided receipts and fundraising records, and offered to pay for the move. Brian Farren, representing the Medina County Historical Society, said the museum conducts tours explaining the Interurban’s local history and reported the society already operates 24/7 camera surveillance over its lots.

Council members repeatedly expressed a preference for the historical‑society site because it groups multiple historic resources (the Warbond building, McDowell Phillips House and accessible interpretation), and because the museum’s trustees committed to preservation and maintenance. City staff and contractors raised technical issues: the building is roughly 12 by 12 feet (with a roof pitch that makes overall height closer to 14 feet), clearance under utility lines may require moving it on a low‑boy trailer and choosing a path of travel (staff suggested Smith Road to avoid downtown signal clearances). The Historical Society and CDC said they have obtained mover estimates and will fund the relocation.

Action: A council member moved that the Interurban be moved to 205 South Prospect under the care of the CDC and Medina County Historical Society; a second was recorded. Committee members then agreed to table final approval so staff can: (1) prepare a written transfer or deed/maintenance agreement (similar to the earlier county deed transfer for the Warbond building), (2) obtain sign‑offs or an advisory review from the Historic Preservation Board (their next meeting is in approximately three weeks), and (3) confirm site work and the path of travel for the move.

Why it matters: Committee members framed the decision as a long‑term preservation choice, not a temporary site change. Several members voiced concern about leaving the structure in place amid active hotel construction and about the risk of damage from traffic and exhaust if it remained at the Fekley lot.

Quotes: "We have a whole envelope here of receipts for things that were done to the building and I think we've done a pretty good job over the past 30 years in taking care of the building," Michelle Nichols said. Brian Farren told the committee, "We do have, quite a bit of security. We talk about the interurban already ... the property is on 24/7 camera surveillance; it goes right to my phone and several of our trustees as well." The hotel representative said the hotel would "support any decision that Council makes" and signaled willingness to assist with preservation efforts if needed.

Ending: The committee instructed staff to draft a formal agreement for transfer and preservation and to return the item for a final vote after the Historic Preservation Board review and completion of the required paperwork. The Historical Society indicated it was willing to accept the Interurban in the short term and fund the move.