By Krystal Smalley
ksmalley@wbcowqel.com
The north wall of the Midwest Furniture building may be breaking down, but it’s not catching any breaks from some Bucyrus City Council members.
The proposed support wall at the Schines Art Park came under fire once again by Councilman Bill O’Rourke at Tuesday night’s Bucyrus City Council meeting. The debate lasted well into the night, pushing the normally one hour meeting into the two-and-a-half hour mark.
After reading from the Public Lands and Buildings Committee minutes, O’Rourke argued that they received no estimates on a chain-link fence or a free-standing wall, nor were photos of Midwest Furniture’s deteriorating wall provided. He added, reading from a 31-page report, that the conclusions and opinions in the structural engineer’s report made it unacceptable.
“When I look at this agreement, it’s a no-win situation for the city,” he stated. “The city isn’t in the real estate business or the rental business.”
O’Rourke was referring to the agreement drawn up between the city and Doug Godwin, owner of Midwest Furniture. That agreement would give the city the virtual right to purchase the building if certain extenuating factors occurred, though Mayor Jeff Reser has repeatedly stated that the city was not interested in purchasing the building.
Reser said a free-standing wall, which would encroach into the Schines Art Park and would not lend any help to Godwin’s building, would cost the city 50-percent more than the already-quoted $120,900 for a connecting wall. The mayor, who has already raised $42,000 for the wall, pointed out that another $50,000 would be needed if they decided to go with a free-standing wall. The city already had $73,000 in pledged money for the wall.
“It’s the reason we didn’t even consider it (a free-standing wall),” Reser said. “There’s no way in the world that we will be spending donated money on a chain-link fence. I will not do that. The money that I have been raising has not been to put up a chain-link fence, it’s to put up a wall.”
Reser stated that they would be willing to put up a free-standing wall if that’s what council chose, but he warned the city should be pulling money out of the General Fund to pay the difference.
“I think we’ve been hoodwinked from the start on this park,” O’Rourke claimed as audible noises of disgust could be heard from the audience in attendance.
Reser said the deal was not perfect, but it would allow the city to move forward on the project.
Law Director Rob Ratliff believed it wasn’t a matter of being hoodwinked, but of preparing for the future.
“This is one of those rare instances where, historically, we’ve got an example right in front of us,” Ratliff said. “What happened with the theater building was Randy Strauch owned it, let it deteriorate, and pawned it off . . . I think (the theater group) had the best intentions, but couldn’t overcome the burden of what that building needed.
“We are in a rare opportunity here to look 20 years down the road and see what is possible with Doug Godwin’s building,” Ratliff continued. “If Doug Godwin decides that he wants to retire today, takes all his furniture, sticks a “For Sale” sign for $95,000 . . . That same individual that used to own the theatre can now own Doug Godwin’s building. In 20 years from now, we’re looking at an abandoned, potentially burned-out building right next door to our beautiful Art Park and we’re asking ourselves how do we resolve this, how do we get the grant to pay for the demolition on this building?”
Andrew Motter, Godwin’s attorney, provided council with a time table of the damage done to the Midwest Furniture wall, spanning from October 2011 to July 2013.
“Those of you who know Doug know that Doug is always pushing and wanting to help the city whenever he can,” Motter said. “He’s not somebody taking advantage of the situation. He is not somebody who let their building fall down like the theatre. You have to understand he did not touch that wall at all until the theatre was gone.”
Continuously glancing at O’Rourke, the defense attorney went on the attack, pointing out that the cost for Godwin to repair the wall far exceeded the value of the building.
“If you don’t want to put your name on this contract, that’s fine. But then Doug is going to be forced to come up with some other alternatives. Does he sue the theatre board and does he sue the salvage company that came in and tore it down with the damage that was caused to his building when they tore the theatre down? Does he sue the city?”
Godwin wanted to resolve the matter without going to those drastic options, Motter said.
When O’Rourke kept up his protests, Motter subtly threatened that he could find a structural engineer that would provide favorable results for Godwin and continue with a lawsuit.
Councilman Bruce Truka believed the contract with Godwin and the connecting wall was a win-win for both parties, but blamed the council’s lack of information on Reser, who he believed kept them in the dark about the project.
The wall would tie into Midwest Furniture’s existing wall with metal fasteners, a cap to cover the space between the two walls, and a base at the bottom that would allow water to get out.
Randy Fisher, who served on the committee to try to restore the former Schines Theatre, spoke in support of the Art Park wall.
“The use of this space without supporting that existing wall is not possible,” said Fisher, who is an architect. “No type of fencing can provide the support to stabilize the existing wall, nor could a fence provide the clean, smooth surface needed to enhance the proposed park. A new wall is the best solution.”
Fisher also pointed out that Sandusky Avenue was one of the most-visible downtowns in the state due to lake traffic traveling through the city.
“The theatre has been a blight on the downtown for years. Was a blight,” he corrected. “Now we have an opportunity to turn an eyesore into an asset.”
O’Rourke renewed his motion to pull the Art Park wall agreement with Godwin. He was the only member in favor of the motion.
The agreement resolution passed council with O’Rourke being the lone opposing vote.
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