Chardon seeks alternative for county offices move

Chardon leaders would like to give Geauga County commissioners some more food for thought when it comes to relocating county offices.

City representatives plan to make a presentation to commissioners at their 9 a.m. meeting Dec. 18 at 470 Center Place.

Chardon Mayor Jeff Smock said City Council would like them to study a fourth option among their considerations for the county

move: building new offices on Chardon Square.

Up to now, county officials have looked at renovating existing buildings, building new on 35 acres at the southern end of South Street or new construction split between that site and one on Ravenwood Drive in Claridon Township.

The estimated price range is from about $44 million — to build on the South Street site — up to more than $55.6 million to renovate existing locations.

The renovation idea was rejected as being too expensive, and commissioners in November announced that they would move forward with a building project that will result in the vacating of all county buildings within the city, entailing the sale of 470 Center Place, and the courthouse Annex and Opera House buildings on the square.

Vacating the courthouse also is a possibility.

Commissioners have authorized seeking professional design services for creating a detailed plan for the new offices.

Smock said the concern is that there will be a domino effect of offices leaving the square and that the city wants to work with the county on the best outcome for all parties.

“We’re OK with them moving out of the Opera House, Annex and 470,” he said. “But what we would like them to do is consider building something else up on the square to keep the offices on the square. We don’t feel they’ve fully investigated that option.”

When asked about the city’s proposal, Commissioner Timothy Lennon responded, “We have not formally discussed with Chardon officials any plans yet.”

The best location to build on the square is yet to be determined, Smock said.

“We have to look at what’s available or what might become available,” he said. “That’s part of the process that we would like them to look into.”

City Council in 2016 adopted Chardon Tomorrow’s conceptual plan for the square’s east side, including an expanded library, and mixed-use retail and residential development and a parking garage behind the new buildings. Restaurants and retail are envisioned on the first floor and homes, such as apartments or condos, on the other floors.

Smock initially had mentioned potential litigation to keep the county offices within the city. The Ohio Revised Code requires that certain elected offices conduct their operations somewhere within the county seat, which is Chardon. They include the auditor, treasurer, recorder, prosecutor and courts.

County representatives cite problems with staying on the square, such as limited parking and traffic congestion. The South Street and Ravenwood sites would provide a more central location to Geauga residents, they say.

The building project is anticipated to be completed within three years and without raising taxes.

“We have to look at what’s available or what might become available.”

— Commissioner Timothy Lennon