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Middletown council approves downtown funding, fleet purchases and a $12.5 million arena pledge
Summary
At its May 5 meeting, Middletown City Council approved a two‑year $50,000‑per‑year agreement with Downtown Middletown, Inc., authorized $253,884 for five pickup trucks, approved emergency roof repairs at a city‑owned building and pledged $12.5 million toward a new Renaissance Point event center; all votes were unanimous.
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Middletown City Council on Tuesday approved several measures that city officials said are intended to sustain downtown revitalization and maintain city services.
Council voted unanimously to authorize a two‑year professional services agreement with Downtown Middletown, Inc. (DMI) for $50,000 per year. Under the agreement DMI must submit quarterly financial reports and include a city council representative on its board; the law director said either party may terminate the contract with 30 days’ written notice. DMI leaders presented metrics during a council report earlier in the meeting, noting thousands of volunteer hours, new façade and mural grants, and a storefront activation program that helped three businesses secure leases.
The council also approved the purchase of five pickup trucks from Whitide of St. Clairsville for $253,884 to replace aging vehicles in the fire, electronics and water‑maintenance divisions; staff said replacement trucks exceed the city’s service criteria and that sufficient funds exist in the garage fund. Two retired vehicles will be sold on GovDeals.
On emergency measures, council accepted the lowest bid for a roof replacement at the former First National Bank building (2 North Main Street). The low bid was $374,560 from E. Leely Construction, and with a 10% contingency and bond the total project cost is $416,516 to be paid from the general fund.
Council also adopted an emergency resolution committing the city to a $12.5 million credit enhancement — one half of a $25.5 million split with Warren County — in support of a roughly $126 million Renaissance Point multipurpose event center. City staff told council the project is expected to create jobs and generate visitor dollars; the resolution was approved after council discussion of the project’s long planning history and intergovernmental support.
Other legislative actions approved without objection included an amendment to the city’s Central Square public‑safety software contract and a resolution to terminate and purchase improvements related to a Salvation Army ground lease in Damon Park. Council advanced a second‑reading ordinance to add Juneteenth as a holiday in memoranda of understanding with bargaining units.
The council was also presented with a staff report on the fire‑station alerting system noting annual service fees required for 2026–2028; no final action on that item was taken and payment authorization is scheduled for the May 19 meeting.
What’s next: council set a May 19 date for further action on the fire station alerting annual fees and will continue implementation steps for the approved projects. Funding sources for the arena pledge and the roof repair were described in staff reports; council members said staff will return with any necessary contract documents and appropriation adjustments.
