Council addresses options on former Hillsboro city building

 With Hillsboro Fire and Rescue now fully moved into their new station, the city is left to decide what will happen to the old fire station on North High Street. 

The finance committee and property maintenance and restoration committee of the Hillsboro City Council discussed the possibility of leasing the building despite its current condition of disrepair.

The committee reviewed the appraisal of the building, conducted by Southern Ohio Appraisers, which placed the value of the structure at $110,000. 

"It's going to take a lot of money to get that thing where it needs to be," said council's finance committee chairperson Peter Pence. "Money we don't have."

Pence said it was his understanding that the city had applied for grants to tear down the building, but was unsuccessful in secure funds.

"I don't see how the city could lease it without making substantial upgrades," Pence said. "It's a money issue. It does us no good to have a building we can't use. What's its purpose if it's just going to sit there? We don't need to contribute to the problem (of empty buildings in Hillsboro)."

"We took the fire department out of there for a reason," said Hillsboro Safety and Service Director Ralph Holt. "The liability is still on the city."

Christina Ross of the Highland Community Preservation Group addressed the committee, and asked Holt to elaborate on the issues that made the building unfit for lease. Holt said that in addition to faulty wiring and multiple electrical issues in both the former police and fire department buildings, there was a mold problem.

Ross presented the committee with an architect's rendering on what the facade of the structure could look like if it were renovated into a leasing space that could house an indoor farmer's market, as well as additional space for other businesses. Ross said the group had spoke with a bank and was looking to "make a profit to support a mortgage," and that there were more funding opportunities for nonprofit organizations than municipalities.

Several people spoke on the benefits farmers markets can have for a community, including Christie Welch, a farmer's market specialist for the Ohio State University South Centers Business Development Network; John Kellis of the Ohio Valley Resource Conservation and Development Council; and representatives of the current farmer's market that is held during summer months at the Hillsboro Tractor Supply Company. Though farmers markets do not typically make a substantial profit, the benefit is that it would draw consumers to the uptown area, promote local businesses and lead to an overall healthier community.

Pence asked if the group's intent was to purchase or have the city donate the building, and the group said they were open to discussion on the matter.

Hillsboro Mayor Dick Zink, and Pence, said revolving loan funds may be available for the project.

"More discussion needs to happen pretty quick," Pence said, and invited the group to bring more information to a finance committee meeting tentatively scheduled for April 1 at 5:30 p.m. in council chambers at the fire station.

In other business, the property maintenance and restoration committee voted:

• To recommend that Gov. Trimble Place be closed Friday, April 16 for Anna's Army Day, in honor of Anna Reno. Reno died last year due to complications with cystic fibrosis and the event, which will have games, activities, and a walk, it to raise awareness and funds toward finding a cure for the disease. Most of the activities will take place on the Highland County Courthouse lawn.

• Heard from softball, football and soccer teams that play at liberty park regarding the on-site restrooms. The softball league requested access to observe the restrooms adjacent to their fields in order to assess the cost in reopening them to the public during games. The city previously locked down the restrooms after repeated incidents of vandalism. There was discussion that the teams may pay to have them restored to working order, as well as upkeep, but an assessment must first be made on what condition the facilities are in.

• The softball association also asked the committee to consider allowing the installation of a temporary pole barn-like structure to be used for storage near the dugouts. The committee asked that a drawing be submitted.

• Requested that all sports teams that play at Liberty Park and Shaffer Park keep a running book of expenses. Parr said all that was necessary was an account of funds taken in and spent, in order to establish a record in case the state requested the information during an audit. 

• Discussed the request by the Hillsboro Rotary Club to establish a park behind the new fire station. Council president and Rotary Club member Lee Koogler said it was his understanding the club proposed to put up $25,000 toward the park, with a private donor putting up an additional $25,000, and that a formal presentation to the committee was being worked out.

• Voted 3-0 to recommend council deny a variance request by Richard Finn of United Remodeling for a temporary sign located at North High Street and Willow Street advertising a renovation company. The committee discussed the sign ordinance, which permits temporary signs for real estate, political signs, upcoming events, or for businesses when they are located on the business's property. The committee determined that since the sign is located at a private residence it violates the sign ordinance.

• Voted 2-1 to recommend council approve a request by Tara Swift for a variance on an overhanging sign on South West Street. Committee chairperson Bonnie Parr said the request was to replace the faceplate of an existing sign. Committee member Dave Shoemaker said the sign ordinance prohibits overhanging signs and made a motion to deny the request. The motion died for a lack of a second. Committee member Bill Alexander made a motion to reprove a request, which was seconded by Parr, and Shoemaker voted against approving the request.