Renovation to Oakhill Place to cost less than was expected, offical says

Monday, August 21, 2006 Much of the building is in move-in condition, one commission member said. By NANCY TULLIS VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — Renovation needed at Oakhill Renaissance Place before Job and Family Services Department's 400 employees can move in will likely be below the $5 million estimate, said Joseph Sylvester Jr., building commission member. Sylvester, chief executive officer of Joseph Sylvester Construction Co., Boardman, said the estimate of $50 per square foot for an estimated 100,000 square feet needed for JFS is likely high, because much of Oakhill is in move-in condition. Sylvester, Atty. David Comstock, John Logue and Robert Hanahan are now studying renovation at Oakhill as an official board — the county building commission — appointed by Mahoning County commissioners. They have been studying the condition of the former hospital for quite some time, however, as members of an ad hoc committee appointed by Southside Community Development Corp. Commissioners established the building commission July 28 by passing a resolution naming the four men as members. The resolution states the purpose of the building commission is to oversee the renovation of the property at 345 Oakhill Ave. — the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center. The building commission had its first meeting last week to discuss the property. Administrator George Tablack said last week the estimate of $5 million for renovation at Oakhill is based on a formula established by the building commission, whose members all have decades of experience in various aspects of building trades. Request for proposals Tablack issued a request for proposals Friday from architects interested in designing workspace for the 400 employees of JFS, which will be Oakhill's first new tenant with the county as landlord, and its largest. Sylvester said he and other committee members are pleased with the building's overall condition. There are no major structural problems, and asbestos in the building has been removed or encapsulated (contained), he said. "Remember that until a few weeks ago, there was a hospital in the building," he said. He said although there are areas where more extensive renovation could be done, much of the building could be made ready with simple cosmetic improvements such as painting. The county bought Oakhill Renaissance Place out of bankruptcy court July 28 for $75,000 with the intent to move JFS and other county offices into the building. County officials have said that with other financial obligations tied to Oakhill, the purchase price will be about $1 million.