City taking next steps on building demolition

“I believe this person’s got great ideas. We need to get together to make it happen so it can really revive downtown Elyria.” — Ward 4 Councilman Kenny Oswald

The first downtown demolition grant in Elyria is headed to City Council for final approval.

During a joint meeting of the Council Community Development and Finance committees Oct. 26, the issue of the grant was thoroughly discussed.

The building selected for demolition is located at 381 Broad St.

Assistant Safety Service Director Dawn Calvert said the building has several years of delayed maintenance, severe structural issues and brick deterioration.

The building was gutted and destroyed by vandals, and all the copper was stripped, Calvert said.

It is estimated to cost about $161,000 to demolish, and the city can provide $50,000.

The owner is expected to pay the remaining balance.

Council approved the demolition grant program in July and the funding is coming out of Issue 6 funds that previously were marked for marketing.

In total, the city allotted $150,000 to the demolition program.

Demolition would have to be done within 90 days of approval by Council.

When buildings are listed in the National and State Register of Historic Places, the city may reject the grant application.

According to the Lorain County Auditor’s website, 381 Broad St. has been owned by Diversified Investment Co. LLC since 2015.

This building sits at the corner of Broad Street and Washington Avenue.

“I would hope that the city reaches out to this person so that we can get together a game plan and what we would like to have happen in the city of Elyria,” said Ward 4 Councilman Kenny Oswald.

“I believe this person’s got great ideas. We need to get together to make it happen so it can really revive downtown Elyria.”

Added Councilman atLarge Jack Baird, “Nobody is really in favor of tearing stuff down all the time like Mr. Oswald had mentioned.

“But, this piece of property particularly, with the pictures we saw and the deterioration and so on, there’s no question it couldn’t be revived, at least economically.