ONTARIO — Members of Ontario City Council approved moving forward on plans to bring electricity and a sewer line to Ontario Commerce Park at Wednesday night’s meeting.

Also, it was agreed to demolish some of the property’s remaining structures during an economic development committee meeting prior to the council meeting.

The committee unanimously allowed for Mayor Randy Hutchinson and service safety director Jeff Wilson to take the next steps to determine the best way to approach the utilities and demolition. It also encouraged them to bring their findings, specifically potential costs, to the next council meeting on July 10.

However, the members asked the mayor to hold off on bringing a water line to the property, including the former General Motor’s “press prep building,” which will likely be marketed as a business space.

At-large councilman Larry Arnold said he doesn’t want to “throw money to the wind.” He expressed concern that potential users could need more than “entry level” services and would only need to redo the work upon purchasing the property.

If even entry level services are brought to the property, he argues that a premium price will need to be negotiated.

On the other hand, councilman Mark Weidemyre highlighted the value of showing a move-in ready building.

“It’ll show better … and it wouldn’t take much to run the furnace and lights,” he said about bringing electricity to the press prep building.

Further, Hutchinson explained, it would help the property appraise at a higher value.

As for the proposed sewer line, the committee discussed moving forward by repairing an existing line to the press prep building. An early estimate of the cost made with a “decent” understanding of the lines condition was $52,000, according to Hutchinson.

The demolition discussed Wednesday would include a structure located near what could become the property’s maintenance building.

The mayor also noted that other property cleanup could be complete by winter. A new employee hired by the city for this purpose is set to start July 8. At that time, the new employee and one other Ontario city maintenance worker are expected to work on cleanup.