Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Property Donation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Portland accepts donated downtown building; mayor asks staff to draft maintenance ordinance
Summary
The board approved accepting a donated downtown building at 214 West Main Street and asked staff to draft an ordinance requiring downtown building owners to maintain their properties; a board member estimated roughly $500,000 would be needed to save the structure.
The Portland Board of Public Works and Safety voted Aug. 7 to accept a donation of the property at 214 West Main Street (the former Tom & Rod’s), approving an agreement with Clemmons Properties LLC.
John Hemmelgarn told the board that saving the building would cost "approximately $500,000." Mayor Jeff Westlake asked staff to begin drafting an ordinance that would require downtown building owners to maintain their properties, saying he had reached out to Coldwater, Ohio for a copy of that municipality’s building ordinance and urging standards to prevent buildings from becoming "decapitated." The board approved the donation on a motion by Jerry Leonhard, seconded by Steve McIntosh; the chair was recorded voting "aye."
Why it matters: downtown property maintenance and demolition prevention affect local economic development, property values and potentially public safety. The minutes do not record whether the city will commit funding to rehabilitation or what next steps Clemmons Properties must take.
The board did not specify a timeline for the ordinance or attach conditions to the acceptance of the building in the minutes. Further staff reports and ordinance drafts were requested by the mayor.
