Columbiana officials approve renovations at courthouse

STAFF REPORT

LISBON — Columbiana County commissioners on Wednesday approved a contract with A&I of East Liverpool to oversee the cost of renovating four courthouse restrooms.

The architecture and interior design company will receive $8,000 for its work.

The commissioners have renovated much of the courthouse in recent years with the exception of the restrooms. It’s not clear when they were last overhauled.

Overall, the project is expected to cost $100,000.

Penny Traina, chairwoman of the commissioners, said they would try to obtain a federal grant that would pay for 55 percent of the work. The county will seek other grants and funds to pay for the remaining 45 percent.

In other business, the commissioners agreed to act as the fiscal agent for a neighborhood stabilization program that will help build new homes and tear down old ones.

Columbiana County became the agent because it is the largest political entity among East Liverpool, Carrollton and Carroll County.

The federal Neighborhoods Stabilization Program earlier gave a total of $1.5 million to the counties and other subdivisions. The money can be used throughout both Columbiana and Carroll counties.

Bleckman & Associates Inc. of Canton, which oversees Salem’s housing program, will be paid $91,740 to shepherd the project.