Architects to evaluate building

Commissioners bought the Parker-Porter building in November.
WARREN -- Trumbull County commissioners hired an architectural company to evaluate the suitability of the Park-Porter Building to house the county's Job and Family Services Department and One-Stop job training center.
In a special meeting Thursday, they voted to hire Phillips/Sekanick Architects for $473 to perform this evaluation.
They also voted to seek proposals from architectural firms to draw a preliminary layout of the offices if results of the evaluation are satisfactory.
JFS is now on South Park Avenue and One-Stop is now on West Market Street.
In November 2005, commissioners bought the Park Porter Building at 280 N. Park Ave. for $699,500, contingent on inspections determining that it is satisfactory for the intended use.
Commissioners Paul Heltzel and James Tsagaris voted in favor of both motions Thursday, with Commissioner Dan Polivka dissenting on both.
Against the purchase
Polivka, who voted against buying the building in November, dissented Thursday because he said the building's renovation costs likely will be between $4 million and $6 million and because he said the building has insufficient parking.
Heltzel said an architect has estimated the combined cost of buying and renovating the building at about $3 million.