Officials accept building donation
LEETONIA -- Village officials have accepted the donation of the former Sky Bank building at 243 Main St., but have not determined how they will use it.
Sky Bank officials closed the bank branch in June and agreed to donate the building to the village. A bank representative gave Mayor Artie Altomare the keys at Wednesday's council meeting.
Solicitor Walter Newton is handling the legalities of the transfer, with the village paying Sky Bank $1 for the building. The value of the building is undetermined.
Administrator Gary Phillips said village officials hope to establish a planning commission soon, and deciding how best to use the donated building could be one of its first tasks.
He said several organizations are interested in using it as a community center, and council has discussed moving some village offices there.
Phillips said the two-story former bank building is more visible and accessible than the village hall building at 300 E. Main St. He said the location would be convenient for residents paying water bills, for example, because there is ample parking space in the adjacent lot and in front of the building.