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Struthers council sells building
An electricity aggregation program for Struthers will be on the May 5 primary ballot.
STRUTHERS — Council has approved the sale of the former Viking Building at 83 S. Bridge St. to Robert Heck, owner of American Wire and Shaper in Youngstown, for a price of $68,000.
Heck, who has owned the 18-year-old business for three years, said he plans to move his firm to Struthers as soon as he gets the Viking Building repaired, hopefully within two months.
Heck said American Wire makes specialty items, such as steel rods for sparklers, and copper pieces for an electric motor, which is part of the fuel delivery system for the Airbus 360 corporate jet airplane. American Wire, in rented space now on Andrews Avenue, has three to six employees.
Council voted 6-1 to approve the deal at its meeting Wednesday, with only Councilman at large Daniel Yemma opposing the measure. He said his vote was not a criticism of Heck and his business. However, he said he thinks more study should have been done on whether the city should keep or sell the property, and that it should have been advertised for competitive bids to ensure that the city got the best price possible.
However, Councilman at large Michael Patrick said the city could not afford the estimated $71,000 it would cost to put the property in move-in condition, and the selling price exceeded the fair market value of the property, which he said was appraised at $64,000.
Third Ward Councilman Robert Burnside and Councilman at large Ronald Mathews said when Heck repairs the building it will eliminate an eyesore in the city’s downtown area. Others also noted it will produce income tax for the city.
“We researched on whether to sell or keep the property. We figured if someone wants to come to town and fix up a blight,” it is to the city’s benefit, said Mayor Terry Stocker.
In other action Wednesday, council unanimously passed an ordinance to place on the May 5 primary election ballot an issue that will enable voters to decide if the city should create a governmental electricity aggregation program.
The purpose of an aggregation program is to get a lower group rate, proponents said.
There will be public hearings before the vote, and also after, if it is approved, to further explain the program, Stocker said.
Residents can opt not to join the program, he said, and also opt back in, if they want, without any penalty or fee.
alcorn@vindy.com