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CIC quickly approves land swap

 

EAST LIVERPOOL — A land swap between the city and downtown business owner to facilitate a new business was moved forward by the Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) Thursday.

Proposed was trading the parking lot on East Third Street for the property across Market Street owned by businessman Ray Trevelline, which includes the brick building that, at various times housed the Salvation Army, Federal Credit Union and Congressman Douglas Applegate’s office.

City Council had previously approved transferring its ownership of the parking lot to the CIC, paving the way for the CIC to sell or lease the land.

Mayor Ryan Stovall said someone had already begun working in the brick building, with plans of starting two businesses there, but Planning Director Bill Cowan advised the work be stopped until these steps are finalized between the CIC and Trevelline, who owns the Hot Dog Shoppe across the street.

The 60-foot by 60-foot municipal parking lot being traded is no longer used, but Stovall said he believes Trevelline has plans for the property.

Member Al Fricano said he had heard the parking lot property had been given to the city as a gift with specific stipulations for its use, also asking if there is a certificate showing asbestos abatement has been completed in the building the CIC would be acquiring since the abatement has reportedly been done.

Fricano also asked “how obligated” the people are who want to use the building, saying the brick wall is falling in, but member Scott Shepherd, an architect, said he has walked through the building and found it to be in “pretty good shape,” with mostly cosmetic issues noted.

Stovall said he can obtain he asbestos certificate and said the people are “ready to start working,” with member Jim Swoger noting, “We can’t give them a contract on something we don’t own.”

Fricano said his research did show the property the CIC will receive has a higher market value than the property it is giving up.

Saying those are “two pieces of property not being developed now,” member Don Heldman made the motion to approve the land swap, with amendments added that title searches must first be completed and negotiations be finalized by Law Director Charles Payne. The motion passed unanimously.

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