MANSFIELD — The battered building that sat vacant for a number of years at 220 Park Avenue West is on tap for demolition, which is estimated to start in early January, according to Economic Development Director Tim Bowersock.
Mansfield City Council approved demolition of the building in June. Since that time, the city has carried out a number of steps to obtain ownership of the property.
“We were hoping to have the building torn down sometime between September and October, but the project was put on hold because it’s my philosophy that if we’re going to use taxpayer money to clean up the property, then the current property owner should not benefit from that,” Mayor Tim Theaker said.
The city was able to take ownership of the property from the Hoffman Family Revocable Living Trust free of charge, Bowersock said.
“Council determined and declared that the two-story brick, wood and glazed tile, split-level commercial structure with metal sign structures on the east and west edge of the front parking lot was insecure, unsafe, structurally defective and unsafe to life and other property by reason of its hazardous and unsound condition, unsound and unsafe walls, floors, foundation and ceilings,” legislation reads.
PRIDE funds are being used to pay for the building’s demolition, which is estimated to cost approximately $92,700, according to Bowersock.
According to the Richland County Auditor’s website, the building was constructed in 1931. Over the years, it has been home to a number of businesses, including a car dealership.
“It’s basically beyond repair now,” Bowersock said of the structure.
“It’ll be put up for sale, probably in a similar way to what we’re doing with the Woodville School property, which is public bid,” Bowersock said.
For now, the main objective is demolition.
“We want to remove the safety risk (that the building poses) and clean up a piece of property that’s located on one of the main entryways to downtown,” Bowersock said.
The city has made headway on other demolition projects, namely the Westinghouse building. Crews have already begun demolition, which is coming along nicely, according to Theaker.
“I’ve been down there a couple times to check on their progress,” he said. “Because of the hazardous material, they have to be very careful, but they’re doing a good job of making sure that the contamination does not spread.”
Other demolition projects include the AP Gas Station on Lexington Avenue, the gas station on West Fourth Street that’s next to the fire museum, and an apartment building at the corner of East Fourth Street and Franklin Avenue.
Theaker said the city has been fortunate to having the backing of its citizens, who approved the PRIDE levy three years ago. The levy, which generates $12 million over a four-year period, has helped fund a number of demolitions within the city and has supported safety and law enforcement, parks and recreation, and has helped pay for street lighting.
The mayor said the levy will be back on the ballot in 2017 for voters consideration.
