Struthers considers uses for old building

STRUTHERS — The city has three options regarding disposition of the former Viking Manufacturing facility downtown: Demolish it, sell it, or renovate it for the city’s use.

Last year, the city took possession of the property, located at Bob Cene Way and Bridge Street (state Route 616), and waived the delinquent taxes after there were no bids on the property at a sheriff's sale.

Mayor Daniel Mamula said then that the plan was to seek cost estimates to demolish the structure and prepare the site for a use that would enhance the city.

Since then, three potential bidders have indicated an interest in the property, Mamula said during caucus before Wednesday’s city council meeting. One of those interested is Astro Shapes, a firm next to the Viking property.

Mamula recommended that the city’s next step in the disposition of the property, which he said has an appraised value of $60,000, be to determine what it would cost to make it “attractive and useful.”

He said the city is running out of storage area and could make use of Viking property for that, depending on what it would cost to repair the windows and roof and provide electric service to the building.