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Riff raff about the roof
YOUNGSTOWN
The Calvin Center for the Arts renters and the family of Sean Timms, who died in November 2015 from a heart defect, say the delay on the roof replacement for the building is insurance-related.
The building at 755 Mahoning Ave. has been home to artists, fitness classes, organizations and more since Timms bought and renovated it in 2011.
Renters in the building and Timms’ family had a fundraiser in his honor in February, raising $23,000 toward replacing a leaking and crumbling roof on the 114-year-old building.
“It was very successful, and we are so thankful to everyone who donated,” said Kathy Timms, Sean’s mother.
The cost of the roof replacement, however, is nearly quadruple the amount of money raised.
Timms said the first roof-replacement estimate the insurance company gave her was $86,000, and the amount it was willing to pay was only half of that.
The reason the insurance company is unwilling to pay more, she explained, is because the roof on the building was just replaced in 2011, before Sean Timms bought it. Unfortunately, Timms said after an inspection that the roof was replaced incorrectly – which is why it is failing only five years later.
Now, she said the roof will be “on hold” until she’s able to find a “reputable” company to replace the roof for a lower price.
“It’s a big job, and we want it done right,” Timms said.
Another obstacle Timms is running into is the legal rights to the building.
Because of his untimely death, Sean Timms didn’t have a will. After the legal work is finished with the building, it will have to be sold.
“As his mom and dad, it would not go to us, but his 17-year-old daughter who isn’t interested,” Timms said. “It’s a real nice building – we don’t want to see it stop being used; we want to see it continue to be used.”
However, the building won’t be up for sale at least until the roof is taken care of.
“We’re just trying to do our best and get it taken care of,” Timms said. “I hope whoever buys it has the same vision [as Sean Timms] and uses it as a place for artists to rent at a reasonable price.”