“Council wanted us to bid it both ways, because at the time there was a potential reuse for Swallens,” Duritsch said. “They never materialized so from our standpoint if there’s nothing out there it makes sense to have a seeded lot available for redevelopment.”
Nine contractors submitted bids for the project, with Dayton-based Steve R. Rauch Inc. coming in with the cheapest option. Estimates initially budgeted the demolition of the parking garage alone at $980,000, making it difficult to pass up eliminating both structures for $30,000 less.
“It’ll be council’s call, including whether they want to pass it as an emergency or go through both readings,” Duritsch said. “Personally, I would like to see it as an emergency just so we can get the ball rolling on this.”
The parking garage, which was constructed in the 1970s, costs the city close to $90,000 annually to maintain. Finance Director Russ Carolus said that money instead could be used to pay for the demolition of the building, thereby eliminating the annual cost after a decade.
After several years of trying to find a viable reuse for the Swallens building, Economic Development Director Mike Robinette said it seems like the better option to simply demolish it and start anew.
“Having that site available for redevelopment will provide us with more opportunity than have the Swallens building there for reuse,” Robinette said. “Because we’re getting it demolished at a very competitive cost, that land becomes more valuable than the building sitting on the land as is.”
Considering the location and size of the site, Robinette said he sees “a lot of possibilities” in its future.
Legislation to approve a contract with Steve R. Rauch Inc. for the demolition of the garage and the former Swallens will come before City Council at its Tuesday, April 20, meeting, according to Duritsch.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.
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