MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Council voted Tuesday to spend up to $500,000, in a partnership with Richland County, toward the demolition and remediation of two former Westinghouse properties.
The unanimous vote came after Richland County Commissioners Tony Vero and Cliff Mears, a former member of council, met with council to explain the county Land Bank plans for a decaying six-story eyesore at 200 Fifth St. and and the adjoining 13-acre “concrete jungle.”
Both commissioners are members of the Land Bank. Vero helped spearhead the drive toward the project in the summer of 2021.
The sites have been vacant since the manufacturer ended its Mansfield operations in 1990. The city’s share will come from its PRIDE demolition funds, part of a quarter-percent income tax voters renewed in 2021.
“I’ve been in your chair. I know you’re looking out for what’s best for Mansfield,” Mears said. “As I believe (county treasurer) Bart Hamilton said, we can get (the work done) at a 75-percent discount.
“We all know this building has to come down. It’s been an eyesore forever. It’s been an eyesore since I worked there and that’s a long time ago. I think the taxpayers will be glad that their dollars were spent to take this down,” Mears said.
In December, the Land Bank acquired the two properties — the six-story “A” building at 200 Fifth St. and a 13-acre concrete slab that adjoins it to the east.
Local officials acted after the state’s two-year budget approved in 2021 set aside $500 million for demolition and brownfield remediation.
Each of the state’s 88 counties is guaranteed $1.5 million from that fund ($500,000 in demolition funds and $1 million in brownfield remediation dollars), leaving $368 million “up for grabs” for projects.
Officials have estimated the Westinghouse project will cost $5 million, though they admit true costs won’t be determined until the work begins and potential contaminants are found.
Hamilton, chair of the Land Bank board, has said the guaranteed $1 million in brownfield remediation from the Ohio Department of Development will go to the effort and the remaining $4 million being sought in a grant must include a 25-percent local match.
County commissioners voted Dec. 16 to guarantee the $1 million match in order to apply for the state funds and have said they were hopeful the city would assist in the effort.
Vero told council that commissioners would be happy to split the cost with the city.
Mayor Tim Theaker said the city has about $1.3 million in its PRIDE demolition account. The Parks, Recreation, Illumination, Demolitions and Emergency Services (PRIDE) tax generates about $3.7 million annually with about $850,000 of that earmarked for building demolitions.
“There is enough money in there,” Theaker said.
Marc Milliron, the city’s building and codes manager, said the commitment from the PRIDE funds would not stop the city from its normal demolition plan with other depilated buildings in the city.
After the discussion with county commissioners, 6th Ward Councilwoman Kimberly Moton, chair of the economic development committee, proposed amending the legislation first discussed Jan. 4 with the pledge to spend up to $500,000 in PRIDE funds in a 50/50 match with the county.
Council then approved the proposal by an 8-0 vote, contingent on the Land Bank successfully being awarded the state grants through the Ohio Dept. of Development.
Commissioners also told council that the Land Bank is continuing to look for private funding for the effort, which could reduce the amount required for the match from the city and county governments.
“Thank you very much,” Mears told council after the vote. “You won’t regret it.”
