Saint Bernard advances demolition plan for Saint Bernard Square after low bid, grant awards

The Village of Saint Bernard moved this week to advance legislation that would allow the demolition of buildings at the Saint Bernard Square shopping center after officials reported a low bid and federal and county grant awards.

Mayor Stuchill told council that bids have been received for demolition of the old bank building and the adjoining strip mall and that the lowest bidder for the building work was $266,000. He said the village plans to contract with O'Rourke Wrecking Company once the necessary ordinances are passed.

“There's a massive amount of planning that is going on between the CIC and the developer to bring this project into fruition,” the mayor said, adding that he is “no more impatient than myself” to begin the work. He stressed that the demolition redevelopment does not include the building that houses Skyline and Biggie or the professional building and that the project is intended to enhance clientele for those businesses.

Officials said the project is being developed with Civitas Development Group. The mayor and other staff said the village has pursued outside funding: a Hamilton County revitalization grant for $339,000 and an Ohio Department of Development site-revitalization grant for $456,443. Together those two awards total $795,443 and are intended to cover demolition, site preparation, and other eligible expenses.

Safety and Service Director Tim Wordman told council that nine bids were received at the RFP opening and that the lowest bidder came in from O'Rourke. He asked council to place legislation on the table authorizing the director to enter a contract with O'Rourke Wrecking Company to demolish buildings located on Vine Street and to declare the purchase an emergency because a grant deadline is approaching.

“The reason that I'm asking this to be treated as an emergency is due to the deadline that is fast approaching for the use of the grant funds,” Wordman said. He also reported the village is working with a relocation specialist to find an alternate location for a business that remains under lease in the strip mall, and that this is delaying demolition of that portion of the site.

Council moved and seconded motions to place demolition-related ordinances on the table (ordinances referenced as Nos. 3 and 4 in the packet) so legislation can be finalized when the body reconvenes. A council member noted the difference between the $266,000 demolition bid and the larger $339,000 appropriation: the larger number covers additional site-prep work such as parking-lot demolition and other reimbursable eligible expenses under the county grant.

Next steps: council placed the demolition-related ordinances on the table for the next meeting; if enacted, staff will be authorized to execute the contract and begin phased demolition, subject to final legislation and any unresolved tenant-relocation agreements.