Commission undecided on Oakhill heating system

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Oakhill Renaissance Place

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Mahoning County Commissioner John McNally IV

The panel is still weighing Oakhill’s heating options.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The Mahoning County Building Commission is still undecided about whether to authorize installation of a new $2.9 million zoned heating system in Oakhill Renaissance Place or to remain with steam heat from Youngstown Thermal.

The zoned system would feature multiple, small, natural-gas-fired boilers throughout the building, which is the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center.

The county bought the building in 2006 in U.S. Bankruptcy Court and moved its Department of Job and Family Services there the following year.

Four of five building commission members present voted Monday in favor of a motion by county Commissioner John A. McNally IV to postpone a decision until the county receives a written proposal from Youngstown Thermal for a five-year contract, under which that utility would continue to supply steam to Oakhill.

“We’d like to see the proposition in writing before we make a decision,” said Atty. David Comstock, chairman of the seven-member building commission.

Joining McNally in support of his motion were Comstock, Joseph Sylvester Jr., and John N. Logue. County Commissioner David N. Ludt abstained. C. Robert Buchanan and county Commissioner Anthony T. Traficanti were absent.

“If we’re going to spend $3 million of the county’s money, we better be damn sure that we’re doing the right thing,” Comstock said of the new zoned-heating system proposed by Raymond Jaminet, the county’s architect.