Girard postpones purchase of theater

Final deal awaiting electrical, plumbing inspection results

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to reflect that the Warren city-owned entertainment venue is Packard Music Hall. The story originally incorrectly listed another local Warren venue, which is privately owned.

GIRARD -- Girard city council has decided to wait two weeks before giving final approval for purchasing the former Wellman Theater after an electrical and plumbing inspection is completed in the West Liberty Street building.

Council on Monday voted to postpone until the April 24 meeting final action on the purchase.

Third Ward Councilman Jeff Kay asked if there had been any inspection of the building. He said he and other council members have walked through the building.

Mayor Jim Melfi said architects have looked at the building and are informing officials of an assessment of the building and what construction work needs to be done. He said he was given an estimate of $42,000.

"There is no question that when that building is available it will be pivotal in turning around the downtown. It will be centerpiece of our community," Melfi said.

He said other communities such as Maumee have successful city-owned community theater buildings as does Warren with Packard Music Hall. He said the Girard building will not be used for showing movies.

"People who have heard of what we plan to do with the building have been excited, I have received calls from a community theater group at YSU, and different members of the Wellman family.

The city is planning to spend $72,900 to purchase the 1930s building.

"When we own it, we will be able to receive grant money. Right … out of the gate we have the ability to receive grant dollars and apply for grant money," Melfi said noting the Trumbull County Planning Commission will assist with getting grants.

Melfi said an Appalachian Technical Assistance grant received by Girard, Liberty and other communities can be used for bike trails and theaters. He said there is about $50 million in Appalachian grants handled by Eastgate Development which can be used for improving downtown areas, parks, and rivers in the Mahoning Valley.

Councilman-at-Large John Moliterno said getting the inspection and basic testing done on electric and plumbing should be done first.

"This will be a nice venue for the city to be used for different things. We can bring that building back to life and help benefit the other businesses in the downtown," Moliterno said.

Melfi said work does need to be done on the building such as the electric which will need to be updated. He said he will contact the county health department on the inspection.

Officials said they want to have the building receive "a good lookover" before final reading.

In other business, officials said a representative of Yellowstone Industrial LLC. will attend a caucus 6:15 p.m. April 24 with the city's economic development committee to discuss plans for adding 25 jobs to the company and other plans. The company is moving to the former Syro Steel facility.

Melfi said Yellowstone Industrial will be seeking a 75 percent tax abatement request.

In a letter to officials, Yellowstone officials indicate plans to revive the vacant industrial plant that was used for manufacturing of steel highway products.

Plans are for a galvanizing facility that will provide coating for steel highway safety products manufactured in Pulaski, Pa., by RG Steel Corp.

Yellowstone Industrial LLC will recommission the vacant hot dip galvanizing facility with the project site providing opportunity for additional expansion in supporting manufacturing and fabrication services, the letter states.