Mahoning Co. official recommends loan for additional Oakhill renovations

YOUNGSTOWN — Mahoning County’s chief deputy auditor is recommending the county borrow an extra $3.5 million this fall to pay for additional renovations and improvements at the county-owned Oakhill Renaissance Place.

Carol McFall told the county commissioners in a staff meeting today that only $833,651 remains uncommitted from the $5 million the county initially borrowed in the bond market for renovations at Oakhill, which the county bought in 2006.

“It doesn’t take long for $833,000 to disappear,” McFall told the commissioners.

McFall also said only $68,106 remains uncommitted of the $2.9 million the county borrowed separately in a federal economic recovery loan to install a new air conditioning system in the former hospital. Oakhill is the former Forum Health Southside Medical Center.

The $5 million has paid for renovations to accommodate the county’s Department of Job and Family Services, Veterans’ Service Commission and recycling division, which have already moved to Oakhill, and the county board of elections, which will move from the county’s South Side Annex to Oakhill later this summer.

For the complete story, read Friday's Vindicator and Vindy.com