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Frangos accepts plan for repairs
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A cost estimate and time frame for the temporary improvement work should be done in a week.
YOUNGS-TOWN — Louis A. Frangos, co-owner of the Stambaugh Building, agreed to a city plan to repair window sashes so windows removed from the historic structure can be put back in place.
If the windows or sashes are damaged beyond repair, Frangos will install either Plexiglas or new glass windows.
City officials met for more than an hour Friday behind closed doors with Frangos and those who work for his companies, USA Parking Systems Inc. and the Frangos Group, to discuss the Stambaugh Building at 44 E. Federal St.
The meeting came more than a week after a window at the building fell onto East Federal Street as Brenda Williams, the city’s chief building official, watched.
An assessment of the 531 windows on the upper 12 floors of the 13-story building will begin Monday.
A cost estimate and time frame for making the temporary repairs should be done by the end of the week, and the group that met Friday will get together again next Friday.
The city examined all of the windows and sashes on the building’s third floor Thursday and 99 percent of them are in good enough shape to be reinstalled, Williams said.
Though windows on upper floors may be worse, Williams said she was told by a Frangos employee that they are in the same condition as those she saw.
“We’re on the same page,” she said of the city and Frangos. “Everyone wants to see the building preserved.”
Frangos said he’s satisfied with the temporary solution and wants to work on a permanent one.
On May 24, two windows fell from the rear of the building in the heart of downtown.
Four days later, Frangos had his employees remove the building’s windows.
More than 400 were removed before the city stopped Frangos on June 5.
Frangos’ companies violated a number of city laws and codes by doing the work without getting a building permit and without the permission of the Design Review Committee, which has power from the city over work done to the exterior of downtown buildings, Williams said.
Frangos admits his company failed to notify the city about the work and receive permission from the DRC, but he said it was simply an oversight.
Frangos had initially wanted to put light plastic around the window frames and then later wanted to use plywood.
City officials said both proposals were unacceptable.
“The meeting was productive and we look forward to getting this matter resolved,” said Mayor Jay Williams, who attended Friday’s meeting, which was in his office.
Any work done to the building will need approval by the DRC, which may have to call a special meeting.
skolnick@vindy.com