Garage costs
Breakdown estimate of annual garage maintenance costs:
$77,000 for utilities
$13,000 for maintenance
$5,000 for property and liability insurance
$400 for taxes
MIDDLETOWN — The garage in downtown Middletown may not have been pretty, but for Samuel Davidson it was a place to park.
“It’s convenient to get to any place downtown. But I can understand taking it down,” he said while pointing to a chunk of concrete in a parking spot inside the garage. “It’s not safe.”
June 4 was the last day for residents to use the parking garage as the city plans to demolish the structure along with the former Swallens building beginning Monday, June 7.
Davidson was the driver of one of about 50 cars parked inside of the garage during its last day. The vehicles inside were as varied as a Honda Civic with a missing fender and mismatched hood to a red Chevrolet Corvette. Any cars left inside the structure will be issued a notice to move. Those still in the building next week will be towed, said Rob Nicolls, senior engineer for Middletown.
Work will begin with perimeter fencing being installed and some asbestos removal. The right lane of southbound Verity Parkway will be closed in front of the Swallens building for about a month while it is taken down. Debris will be pulled inward as it is torn down to prevent having to close more roadways, Nicolls said.
“There’s no doubt it will be tight, but we don’t feel there will be any problems with that,” he said.
While the city had billed removing the garage and Swallens building as a cost-saving measure — about $90,000 is expended annually to keep the garage open — local Realtor Walter Leap said the entire measure would be unnecessary if officials had properly marketed the property.
“They never put the (Swallens building) up for sale or put a price on it,” Leap said. “They could put it on the market with a legitimate broker and let it sell... but they are really concerned about not having ultimate control.”
The demolition, which city officials estimate will cost about $950,000, should be finished by July 30, said City Manager Judy Gilleland.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2843 or jheffner@coxohio.com.
About the Author