MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Board of Control on Tuesday approved $100,000 from the city’s revolving loan fund to assist Cypress Hill Winery with its underground caverns project.
The funds will assist with an overall $350,000 project that will help the business at 51 E. 4th St. construct an emergency exit onto Temple Court, along with other modifications needed to convert the space into a dining and special events center.
The projected costs include $225,000 for construction and renovation and $100,000 for equipment and furnishings.
The caverns are below the Hudson & Essex fine dining restaurant, owned by Mansfield businessman Rick Taylor, though the two entities will operate separately.
The underground space was discovered after Taylor purchased the property and began renovations.
Tim Bowersock, the city’s economic development director, said the second exit to the south is needed to meet the city’s fire codes.
“It has a stairwell and an elevator now, but the elevator cannot be considered as an exit in the event of a fire,” Bowersock said.
Bowersock said the business has worked on the issue in the last couple of years and has come with the design and property easement to allow for the second exit.
The loan will be forgiven at $20,000 annual increments, plus accrued interest, over five years, contingent upon the total investment being made and six full-time jobs being added.
Part of the funds are available for this project because City Council agreed on Aug. 18 to to seek release of Mansfield’s participation in the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s revolving loan fund. At that time, Bowersock said the release of about $645,000 will allow the money to be used for “broader economic development purposes.”
Bowersock said the project is underway.
Also on Tuesday, the board of control:
— approved a $36,594 contract with Rex’s Landscaping and Construction of Mansfield to demolish the Prospect Park pavilion.
— approved contracts with CHA Consulting for engineering, design and construction-related costs for the aprons, taxiways and taxi lanes at Mansfield Lahm Regional Airport. The work, estimated at around $700,000 total, is 100 percent funded by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Ohio Dept. of Aviation, according to city engineer Bob Bianchi.
— approved the $30,000 purchase of a structure at 224 W. Third St. needed for an ongoing emergency stormwater construction project.
— approved a $86,927.50 contract with Smith Paving and Excavating Inc. of Norwalk for concrete work, including sidewalks, as part of the same Third Street stormwater project. The money is part of the $750,000 City Council approved for the project last month.
— approved a $45,600 contract with Worner Roofing Co. in Ontario to replace/repair the leaking and aging roof of fire station No. 3 at 705 Sunset Blvd.
