Commissioners OK $75,000 for Oakhill

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County commissioners have authorized county Prosecutor Paul Gains to formally agree to pay $75,000 for the county’s purchase of Oakhill Renaissance Place — the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center.

In today’s resolution, the commissioners responded to a bankruptcy trustee’s complaint demanding payment and agreed that the purchase price is “a moral obligation of the county,” explained George Tablack, county administrator. Tablack said he expects U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kay Woods to order that the money be paid for the 353,184-square-foot Oakhill building, which is at 345 Oak Hill Ave.

When the county bought the former hospital in bankruptcy court last summer, county Auditor Michael Sciortino declined to write the check, citing what he said were numerous unanswered questions about the condition of the building and costs of renovating and occupying it. The bankruptcy trustee demanding payment is Andrew Suhar, who represents the building’s former owner, Southside Community Development Corp., which filed for Chapter 7 liquidation bankruptcy last year.

For the complete story, see Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com.