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BARNESVILLE -- Village officials on Monday discussed the results of the bid opening for the demolition of village-owned buildings on North Chestnut Street.
Village Administrator Roger Deal informed council members that eight bids were received for demolition of the buildings, ranging from $88,000 to $594,000.
Council had voted at the end of February to demolish two of the three buildings the village owns along North Chestnut Street in order to make way for a parking lot as part of a downtown revitilization project. The fate of a third building, which formerly housed Barnesville Veterinary Clinic, was not determined at that time, but its demolition was included as an option in the bid advertisement.
The decision to raze the buildings, which lie within Barnesville's nationally recognized historic district, was met with public outrage as some concerned residents along with two dissenting council members expressed their desire to maintain the integrity of the downtown district.
On Monday, Deal said he was not yet prepared to make a recommendation on the matter, saying that he was in the process of reviewing the bids, checking references and making calls.
Councilman Steve Hill, along with Councilman Brian Yarnall, had voted against the demolitions.
He believes that no "change orders" should be permitted on the project and that he anticipates trouble with the utilities that are attached to one of the buildings that will effect some of the neighboring businesses.
Deal said they were never under any obligation to approve change orders and that he believed it would be the responsibility of the businesses in question to arrange to have their utilities relocated.
Deal went on to say there is still a good bit to be done before the demolitions can get underway, so they have time to address those concerns.
Meanwhile, Councilman Tim McKelvey reminded council members that they recently approved contributing $2,000, along with another $2,000 from Belmont County Tourism Council to have a mural painted on the side of the Moose Building, which is owned by Luke Johnson.
McKelvey said he and Johnson have a proposal for something "spectacular," but that he needs another $2,300 from the village in order to make it happen.
Johnson showed council a rendering of the proposed mural that includes a Mail Pouch tobacco sign along with recreated signage for the Columbia Hotel, which operated in that building beginning in 1890.
Johnson and McKelvey explained that the extra cost is due to the need for extra rigging where the painter would be working and the extent of the mural. Council approved spending the extra $2,300 for the mural.
In other business, council approved the resignation of council President Les Tickhill from the Architectural Review Board, approved a building permit for Cindy Swallie to demolish a house at 336 Franklin St., and approved paying bills in the amoung of $474,530.47.
Yarnall explained that the unusually large payment listing was due to the purchase of a street sweeper and a new police cruiser, along with their payment of the employees' health insurance through The Health Plan.
Barnesville's next council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 8 p.m. in the Municipal Building on Arch Street.