Renovating buildings will save money, architects tell officials

The county would save on the cost of the materials.

By D.A. WILKINSON

VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU

LISBON — The Columbiana County commissioners could get the same building bang for about half the bucks.

Two architects told county commissioners Wednesday that they could renovate two buildings at about half the cost of building a new one.

Commissioners have been considering building new headquarters for the county’s Department of Jobs & Family Services.

Its offices at 110 N. Nelson St. are in three separate areas that require workers to go outside to get to other offices within the agency.

Commissioners have considered building a new structure north of Lisbon that would also include the county elections board.

The elections board is now at 41 N. Park Ave. The one-story building has had problems with a leaky roof and some ground flooding.

Commissioners have said that the J&FS project will cost about $8 million and that the county needs an additional $2 million to $3 million to finance the construction.

Architect Robert A. Mastriana of The 4M Company of Boardman said the work could be done for $3 million to $3.5 million. That’s if commissioners renovate the two buildings instead of building a new one.

Mastriana’s firm designed the courthouse renovations that are close to completion.

He offered commissioners several options for renovating the interior of the J&FS building. The 6,000-square-foot building is “all concrete block and steel,” Mastriana said.

Architect Norma J. Stefanik of Youngstown State University’s Center for Urban and Regional Studies, added, “It’s really, really strong.”

Mastriana added that ground and roof flooding at the elections board could easily be fixed. The interior could also be changed for better work flow and appearance.

The savings would come because, “You’re not building a building. All the buildings are already existing,” he said.

Commissioners said they would discuss the proposals.

wilkinson@vindy.com